Energy transfer articles from across Nature Portfolio

Photosynthesis in biological systems occurs in a noisy environment that reduces the lifetime of coherences in the excitation energy transfer. Here the author demonstrate that long-lasting coherences are protected by quantum phase synchronization, realized in dimers by exciton-vibrational coupling where energy dissipation occurs predominantly in resonant anti-symmetric collective modes.

Heterogeneous catalysis that occurs when the anodic and cathodic reactions are short-circuited in an appropriate electrolyte is conceptualized as mixed-potential-driven catalysis, however, its theoretical framework remains underexplored. Here, the authors propose the overpotentials as the driving force of the catalysis and extend Prigogine’s theory to formulate the kinetic equations for the energy conversion from the cathodic and anodic half-reactions into overpotentials, by formation of a mixed potential determined by the catalytic activity.

Highly energetic charge carriers generated in plasmon-assisted electrocatalysis can increase reaction rates and impart novel selectivity trends, but a simple protocol to differentiate between thermal and nonthermal plasmonic contributions is lacking. Here, the authors use cyclic voltammetry and finite element simulations to show direct interband excitation of gold by visible light exclusively enhances current density via photothermal heating, while plasmon excitation leads to photothermal and nonthermal enhancements.

Suppressed Dexter transfer is needed to achieve efficient and stable hyperfluorescence, but complex matrices must be involved. A molecular design strategy has been proposed where Dexter transfer can be substantially reduced by an encapsulated terminal emitter, leading to ‘matrix-free’ hyperfluorescence.

Obtaining high-temperature phosphorescence in organic materials can potentially lead to broader applications, but can be challenging to achieve. Here, the authors report the use of rigid molecules as both host and guest to give temperature resistance and therefore high-temperature phosphorescence.

Artificial ion channels have potential in a range of applications, but achieving performance comparable to biological channels has been challenging. Here, the authors report an artificial, light-driven chloride pump, inspired by halorhodopsin, with a helical porphyrin channel array.

Radiation damage in biological systems by radicals and low-energy electrons formed from water ionization is a consequence of ultrafast processes that follow core-level ionization of hydrated metal ions. More details of the complex pathway are now revealed from the study of aluminium-ion relaxation through sequential electron-transfer-mediated decay.

Scientists have been studying how polymers break in solutions for decades, but the mechanism by which chains are stretched to the point of covalent bond scission is not trivial. Now, an experiment series provides ample support for a dynamic model in which chains uncoil from end to middle, while concurrently relaxing.

Transition metal complexes with metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) luminescence and photoactivity typically rely on precious metals such as ruthenium or iridium. Now, two complexes of the Earth-abundant 3d manganese have displayed room-temperature MLCT luminescence in solution and a unique excited-state reactivity.

Energy transfer from one molecule to another over a distance of nanometres is a fundamental process of widespread relevance. Now, scanning probe techniques have been used to include an intermediary third molecule and to watch how energy flows through it.

Magnetic or electric fields have long been used to align or orient atomic or molecular species in a molecular beam. Now, experiments in a merged beam apparatus show that an external magnetic field can be used to favour one particular reaction path.

Molecular vibrations can be highly effective promoters of gas-phase chemistry. Now, measurements show that excited vibrational states can survive on metal surfaces far longer than expected — reshaping our understanding of how vibrational excitation might also promote or modify heterogeneously catalysed chemistry on metals.