Research themes
The research themes of the group are inserted within the general framework of Supramolecular Photochemistry. Actually, an important driving force of photochemistry is currently the study of multicomponent (supramolecular) systems. One of the aims leading such studies is the extension of the concept of device (or machine) to the molecular level (Molecular Devices and Machines, inspired by the work of Vincenzo Balzani). A molecular device is an assembly of molecular components (i.e., a supramolecular structure) designed to achieve a specific function. Each molecular component performs one or more single acts, while the entire device performs one or more complex functions, characteristic of the assembly. Molecular devices, like macroscopic ones, need energy to operate. Light is the most convenient form of energy to make molecular devices work.
We are interested in designing and constructing light-active supramolecular systems, i.e., structurally-organized and functionally-integrated systems capable to perform complex functions and powered by light. Since light is made of photons, and photons are at the same time energy quanta and information bits, light-active supramolecular systems can use light in two different ways:
(i) as an energy supply to perform energy-expensive functions (i.e., directional energy transfer, charge separation, conformational changes);
(ii) as an input signal to process, store, and retrieve information.
Final aims of point (i) involve artificial photosynthesis, that is conversion of light energy into chemical energy. Point (ii) includes design of luminescent sensors, light-activated molecular logics, and new dyes for luminescence imaging and DNA probes.
Main topics under study at the moment are:
- Light-harvesting antenna systems
- Linearly-arranged multicomponent systems for photoinduced charge separation
- Integration of antenna systems, charge separation and multielectron transfer catalysts
- Photoinduced water splitting
- Design and study of new luminophores and redox-active systems
- Cell localization and pathway of internalization of suitably-functionalized dyes
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