Ultrafast energy transfer of one-dimensional excitons between carbon nanotubes: a femtosecond time-resolved luminescence study

• Published in: Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 17 - 184
• Main Authors: Koyama, Takeshi, Miyata, Yasumitsu, Asaka, Koji, Shinohara, Hisanori, Saito, Yahachi, Nakamura, Arao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 21.01.2012
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Chemistry; Energy Transfer; Exact sciences and technology; Excitation; Excitons; General and physical chemistry; Luminescent Measurements; Mathematical models; Micelles; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry; Photochemistry; Physical chemistry of induced reactions (with radiations, particles and ultrasonics); Semiconductors; Time Factors; Tubes; Photocatalysis; Luminescence; Theoretical study; Carbon nanotubes; Excitation energy transfer; Carbon; Mechanism; Cylinder; Singlewalled nanotube; Dipole approximation; fs range; Calculation; Models; Energy transfer; Double wall
• ISSN: 1463-9076; 1463-9084
• DOI: 10.1039/c1cp22781e

Excitation energy transfer has long been an intriguing subject in the fields of photoscience and materials science. Along with the recent progress of photovoltaics, photocatalysis, and photosensors using nanoscale materials, excitation energy transfer between a donor and an acceptor at a short distance (110 nm) is of growing importance in both fundamental research and technological applications. This Perspective highlights our recent studies on exciton energy transfer between carbon nanotubes with interwall (surface-to-surface) distances of less than 1 nm, which are equivalent to or shorter than the size of one-dimensional excitons in carbon nanotubes. We show exciton energy transfer in bundles of single-walled carbon nanotubes with the interwall distances of 0.34 and 0.9 nm (center-to-center distances 1.31.4 and 1.9 nm). For the interwall distance of 0.34 nm (center-to-center distance 1.31.4 nm), the transfer rate per tube from a semiconducting tube to adjacent semiconducting tubes is (1.81.9) 10 12 s 1 , and that to adjacent metallic tubes is 1.1 10 12 s 1 . For the interwall distance of 0.9 nm (center-to-center distance 1.9 nm), the transfer rate per tube from a semiconducting tube to adjacent semiconducting tubes is 2.7 10 11 s 1 . These transfer rates are much lower than those predicted by the Frster model calculation based on a point dipole approximation, indicating the failure of the conventional Frster model calculations. In double-walled carbon nanotubes, which are equivalent to ideal nanoscale coaxial cylinders, we show exciton energy transfer from the inner to the outer tubes. The transfer rate between the inner and the outer tubes with an interwall distance of 0.38 nm is 6.6 10 12 s 1 . Our findings provide an insight into the energy transfer mechanisms of one-dimensional excitons. Our recent studies show ultrafast exciton energy transfer between carbon nanotubes with interwall distances of less than 1 nm.