Dynamics of a Covalently Conjoined FRET Dye Ensemble for Electron Injection into ZnO Nanorods

A low molecular weight purely organic Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensitizer system combining multiple chromophores into a single molecule via covalent attachment is designed to adjust the ratio and relative position of the fluorol donor and coumarin acceptor units. A phenyl based scaffold accommodates both FRET partners and is connected to a carboxylic anchor group for adsorption on a semiconductor surface. The functionality of the complete ensemble is demonstrated by UV–vis and luminescence lifetime measurements. The energy and charge transfer dynamics of the FRET assemblies in solution and adsorbed on ZnO nanorods are measured by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Optical pump THz probe (OPTP) spectroscopy is applied to detect the injected electrons in the ZnO electrode, confirming the full electronic pathway from FRET light harvesting to subsequent charge carrier injection.