Can we predict quantum yields using excited state density functional theory for new families of fluorescent dyes?

Lin, Zhou

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/91088 Copy

Description

Title

Can we predict quantum yields using excited state density functional theory for new families of fluorescent dyes?

Author(s)

Lin, Zhou

Contributor(s)

• Van Voorhis, Troy
• Shepherd, James J.
• Kohn, Alexander W.

Issue Date

2016-06-21

Keyword(s)

Theory and Computation

Abstract

For a fluorescent dye, the quantum yield characterizes the efficiency of energy transfer from the absorbed light to the emitted fluorescence. In the screening among potential families of dyes, those with higher quantum yields are expected to have more advantages. From the perspective of theoreticians, an efficient prediction of the quantum yield using a universal excited state electronic structure theory is in demand but still challenging. The most representative examples for such excited state theory include time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) and restricted open-shell Kohn-Sham (ROKS)\footnote{T. Kowalczyk, T. Tsuchimochi, L. Top, P.-T. Chen, and T. Van Voorhis, {\it J. Chem. Phys.}, {\bf 138}, 164101 (2013).}. In the present study, we explore the possibility of predicting the quantum yields for conventional and new families of organic dyes using a combination of TDDFT and ROKS. We focus on radiative ($k_{\rm r}$) and nonradiative ($k_{\rm nr}$) rates for the decay of the first singlet excited state (S$_1$) into the ground state (S$_0$) in accordance with Kasha's rule.\footnote{M. Kasha, {\it Discuss. Faraday Soc.}, {\bf 9}, 14 (1950).} For each dye compound, $k_{\rm r}$ is calculated with the S$_1-$S$_0$ energy gap and transition dipole moment obtained using ROKS and TDDFT respectively at the relaxed S$_1$ geometry. Our predicted $k_{\rm r}$ agrees well with the experimental value, so long as the order of energy levels is correctly predicted. Evaluation of $k_{\rm nr}$ is less straightforward as multiple processes are involved. Our study focuses on the S$_1-$T$_1$ intersystem crossing (ISC) and the S$_1-$S$_0$ internal conversion (IC): we investigate the properties that allow us to model the $k_{\rm nr}$ value using a Marcus-like expression, such as the Stokes shift, the reorganization energy, and the S$_1-$T$_1$ and S$_1-$S$_0$ energy gaps. Taking these factors into consideration, we compare our results with those obtained using the actual Marcus theory and provide explanation for discrepancy.

Publisher

International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy

Type of Resource

text

Language

En

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/91088

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Copyright 2016 by the authors

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