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Uniform exciton fluorescence from individual molecular nanotubes immobilized on solid substrates

Nature Nanotechnology volume 4, pages 658–663 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Self-assembled quasi one-dimensional nanostructures of π-conjugated molecules1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 may find a use in devices owing to their intriguing optoelectronic properties, which include sharp exciton transitions1,2,3,4,5, strong circular dichroism5,6,7, high exciton mobilities8,9 and photoconductivity10. However, many applications require immobilization of these nanostructures on a solid substrate, which is a challenge to achieve without destroying their delicate supramolecular structure. Here, we use a drop-flow technique to immobilize double-walled tubular J-aggregates of amphiphilic cyanine dyes without affecting their morphological or optical properties. High-resolution images of the topography and exciton fluorescence of individual J-aggregates are obtained simultaneously with polarization-resolved near-field scanning optical microscopy. These images show remarkably uniform supramolecular structure, both along individual nanotubes and between nanotubes in an ensemble, demonstrating their potential for light harvesting and energy transport.

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Figure 1: Cylindrical chiral double-walled nanotubular J-aggregates of an amphiphilic cyanine dye molecule.
Figure 2: Immobilization of tubular J-aggregates on a solid substrate.
Figure 3: Fluorescence and topography NSOM images of the tubular aggregates.
Figure 4: Polarized fluorescence NSOM images of the tubular aggregates.
Figure 5: Fluorescence dichroism of single tubes with different orientation.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for this work was provided by the R.A. Welch Foundation (grant no. F-1377) and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Sfb 448 Mesoscopically Organized Composites).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstraße 15 D-12489, Berlin, Germany

    Dörthe M. Eisele, Stefan Kirstein & Jürgen P. Rabe

  2. Center for Theoretical Physics and Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen, NL-9747, AG, The Netherlands

    Jasper Knoester

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry and Center for Nano and Molecular Science and Technology, 1 University Station, University of Texas, Austin, 78731, Texas, USA

    David A. Vanden Bout

Authors
  1. Dörthe M. Eisele
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  2. Jasper Knoester
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  5. David A. Vanden Bout
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Contributions

J.P.R. and D.A.V.B. directed the project. D.M.E. performed sample preparation and ensemble experiments, supervised by J.P.R., performed the near-field experiments and their data analysis under the guidance of D.A.V.B. and initiated the collaboration. J.K. contributed to data analysis and played an important role in putting the measurements in perspective. S.K. provided helpful discussions and beneficial interpretation of the data analysis. D.M.E., J.K. and D.A.V.B. co-wrote the paper, with input from the other authors.

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Correspondence to Jürgen P. Rabe or David A. Vanden Bout.

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Eisele, D., Knoester, J., Kirstein, S. et al. Uniform exciton fluorescence from individual molecular nanotubes immobilized on solid substrates. Nature Nanotech 4, 658–663 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2009.227

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