Supramolecular Artificial Light-Harvesting System: Design, Fabrication, and Application

Supramolecular self-assembly refers to the process by which multiple molecular units spontaneously associate into highly ordered molecular aggregates through intermolecular interactions. It can improve assembly efficiency as well as avoid some tedious and complex synthesis. The structure and functionality of the assembly can be accurately controlled. Natural light-harvesting systems are based on the non-covalent bonds between chlorophyll and protein, which can achieve multiple and Continuous energy transfer process and ultimately transfer the energy to the reaction center for completing further efficient photosynthesis process. Learning from nature, scientists have been paying great attention to constructing artificial light-harvesting system and studying their light capture mechanism and efficiency. Most of earlier studies of artificial light-harvesting systems were constructed by covalent bonds based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer process in the organic phase. At present, the research on artificial light-harvesting systems mainly focuses on the construction based on non-covalent bonds in the aqueous phase. This review intend to summarize the fabrication of artificial light-harvesting systems based on supramolecular self-assembly and briefly introduced the application of artificial light-harvesting systems in photocatalysis, photoelectric material et al and discusses the prospects of artificial light-harvesting systems.