Construction of an Artificial Light-Harvesting System Based on an Aggregation-Induced Emission Type Multiperformance Supramolecular Fluorescent Gel

Artificial light-harvesting systems (ALHSs) based on multiperformance fluorescent gels with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect are presented. A multiperformance gel (PVA/Bh) is prepared comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and a bibenzimidazole compound (Bh). It was found that Bh and PVA were cross-linked by hydrogen bonding at 90 degrees C to form a stable polymer gel in ethylene glycol-H2O solvent, achieving various properties such as light transmission, tensile strength, thermal remodeling, and so on. Subsequently, we successfully constructed two ALHSs (Bh-BODIPY 505/515 (BDP) and Bh-Sulforhodamine 101 (SR101)). In these systems, the Bh acts as the donor, while BDP and SR101 act as acceptors. The energy transfer process from Bh to BDP and SR101 is confirmed in these two different systems. Additionally, Bh can be used as a good information writing material and information encryption material. This study will provide a basis for the design and manufacture of ALHSs based on multiperformance fluorescent gels.