Exciton Delocalization in a DNA-Templated Organic Semiconductor Dimer Assembly

A chiral dimer of an organic semiconductor was assembled from octaniline (octamer of polyaniline) conjugated to DNA. Facile reconfiguration between the monomer and dimer of octaniline-DNA was achieved. The geometry of the dimer and the exciton coupling between octaniline molecules in the assembly was studied both experimentally and theoretically. The octaniline dimer was readily switched between different electronic states by protonic doping and exhibited a Davydov splitting comparable to those previously reported for DNA-dye systems employing dyes with strong transition dipoles. This approach provides a possible platform for studying the fundamental properties of organic semiconductors with DNAtemplated assemblies, which serve as candidates for artificial light-harvesting systems and excitonic devices.

Automated summary

A chiral dimer of an organic semiconductor was created by assembling an octamer of polyaniline with DNA. The dimer showed easy reconfiguration between its monomeric and dimeric forms. Experimental and theoretical studies were conducted to examine the dimer's geometry and the exciton coupling between its molecules. Protonic doping allowed for easy switching between different electronic states, and the dimer exhibited a Davydov splitting similar to DNA-dye systems with strong transition dipoles. This research provides a possible platform for studying the fundamental properties of organic semiconductors with DNAtemplated assemblies, which have potential applications in artificial light-harvesting systems and excitonic devices.