Preparation, Photophysical and Electrochemical Evaluation of an Azaborondipyrromethene/Zinc Porphyrin/Graphene Supramolecular Nanoensemble

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The preparation of an entirely supramolecular, multichromophoric azaborondipyrromethene (ABDP)/zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP)/exfoliated graphene (GR) nanoensemble was accomplished. The ABDP derivative bears glycol chains for enhancing solubility and a pyridine functionality for allowing coordination with ZnTPP. The ABDP/ZnTPP/GR nanoensemble was characterized in terms of morphology and composition by using complementary microscopy imaging, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman as well as steady-state and time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy. The photophysical and electrochemical assessment of ABDP/ZnTPP/GR as well as the binding properties of the ABDP/ZnTPP complex, employed as a reference, are presented. Energy and electron transfer events were observed in ABDP/ZnTPP upon photoexcitation. However, in the case of ABDP/ZnTPP/GR, the graphene-induced aggregation of the chromophores alters their electronic interactions, enhancing the energy/electron transfer process between them.