Light-harvesting and energy transfer in ruthenium(II)-polypyridyl doped zirconium(IV) metal-organic frameworks: A look toward solar cell applications

Abstract Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as highly ordered, tunable hybrid materials for photon collection, energy transfer and photocatalytic reactions have raised great interest. Understanding the light-harvesting and exciton transport processes within well-defined 3D solid phases will result in the better design of highly efficient biomimetic chromophore arrays for artificial photosynthesis. In this review, we summarize the fundamental principles of energy transfer in the condensed phase and overview a series of studies in light-harvesting, excited state quenching and photo-excited reactivity occurring within ruthenium-polypyridyl-doped zirconium MOFs. The application of MOFs in energy conversion devices such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) is also discussed.