Excited State Dynamics of Fullerene Materials

Fullerene molecules, typically composed of 60 or 70 carbon atoms arranged in a hollow cage, exhibit complex excited state dynamics that underpin their unique photophysical and photochemical behaviour. Upon photon absorption, electrons are promoted from the ground state to singlet excited states, which may relax via radiative decay (photoluminescence), non-radiative internal conversion or intersystem crossing to triplet states. The balance among these pathways determines quantum yields, lifetimes and energy transfer efficiency. In aggregated or functionalised forms, fullerenes display altered π-conjugation and modified energy gaps, influencing exciton diffusion and charge separation processes essential for organic photovoltaics and light-emitting devices. Ultrafast spectroscopic studies reveal femtosecond to nanosecond timescales for key events such as exciton formation, vibrational relaxation and electron transfer to donor or acceptor partners. Triplet states in fullerenes often act as precursors to reactive oxygen species in photodynamic therapy or as charge carriers in organic transistors. Recent investigations have also highlighted the role of solvent polarity, substituent pattern and supramolecular assembly in tuning excited state lifetimes and intersystem crossing rates. A comprehensive understanding of these dynamics promises advances in energy conversion, sensing and optoelectronic applications worldwide.

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Excited State Dynamics of Fullerene Materials publication trend

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Technical terms

Exciton: A bound electron–hole pair formed upon photoexcitation that can migrate through a material.

Intersystem crossing: A non-radiative transition between electronic states of different spin multiplicity, typically singlet to triplet.

Photoluminescence: Emission of light from a material following absorption of photons and subsequent radiative decay.

π-Conjugation: Delocalisation of electrons across alternating single and multiple bonds, affecting energy levels and transition probabilities.

Excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy: A technique that records fluorescence intensity over a grid of excitation and emission wavelengths, enabling detailed mapping of luminescent species.

References

1. The Study of the Optical Properties of C60 Fullerene in Different Organic Solvents. Open Chemistry (2019).
2. Simultaneous Quantification of Fullerenes C60 and C70 in Organic Solvents by Excitation–Emission Matrix Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Inorganics (2023).
3. Synthesis and Fluorescent Properties of Multi-Functionalized C70 Derivatives of C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2] and C70(OCH3)10[C(COOEt)2]2. Nanomaterials (2022).