Artificial light-harvesting systems and their applications in photocatalysis and cell labeling

Abstract

• The artificial light-harvesting systems based on non-covalent interactions are discussed. • The artificial light-harvesting systems with two-step sequential energy transfer are discussed. • The applications of artificial light-harvesting systems in photocatalysis and cell labeling are discussed. Photosynthesis is the basis for the survival of organisms in nature; consequently, the fabrication of artificial light-harvesting systems (LHSs) that simulate natural photosynthesis is of significant interest. Recently, a variety of artificial LHSs have been successfully constructed using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). However, it is crucial to fabricate artificial LHSs with a sequential energy transfer process when considering that the natural photosynthetic process involves a multistep sequential energy transfer process rather than a simple one-step energy transfer. Moreover, many previously reported LHSs have been used as imaging agents for cell labeling and bioimaging or as catalysts in photocatalytic reactions, showing promise for applications simulating natural photosynthesis. In this review, we have summarized recently published representative work on artificial LHSs. In addition, the application of LHSs in photocatalysis and cell labeling has been described in detail.