GRK 2991:  Photoluminescence in Supramolecular Matrices

• Subject Area: Molecular Chemistry
• Term: since 2024
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 517122340

Molecular photoluminescence has found many applications that include fluorescence imaging in medicine, fluorescence sensing in analytical chemistry, and light-emitting displays in physics. Toward these goals the classical approach of chemists has been the design of suitable luminophores, covering emission wavelengths from the ultraviolet up to the near infrared (NIR) spectral region. However, discoveries of the last decades including the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and fluorogenic RNA aptamers as well as the observation of unexpectedly intense aggregation-induced emission and solid state phosphorescence constitute illustrative examples for the large impact of the matrix on luminescence properties, pointing at a hidden potential for an advanced molecular emitter design via a tailored supramolecular environment. The design, synthesis as well as structural and spectroscopic characterization of such supramolecularly engineered ensembles of a luminophore and its surrounding matrix are the topic addressed by this international research training group pursued at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) and at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg. By studying molecular luminophores in defined host-guest complexes or embedded in DNA and RNA aptamers, micelles, polymers, liquid crystals and co-crystals we will shed light into function-determining supramolecular interactions, leading to a new generation of improved luminescent materials with intense emission up to the NIR region and tailored lifetimes from nanoseconds (fluorescence) up to hours (phosphorescence). To tackle the challenging task of getting detailed insights into structure-function relationships in biomolecular and supramolecular ensembles, twenty scientists from JMU and IISER TVM will combine their expertise on various luminophore and matrix classes as well as the physicochemical and theoretical methodology required for the characterization of their structural and functional properties. The research team is well-balanced between young and more experienced scientists that are highly motivated to advance new molecular luminescent materials in an integrated and interdisciplinary approach. The IRTG program will offer an excellent graduate training that includes a mandatory stay of at least 6 months at the partner institution and the chance for obtaining a binational JMU-IISER TVM doctoral degree. Furthermore, the training program will include virtual classrooms and web conferences, joint in-person workshops, and attractive transferable skills courses.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: India
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• IRTG-Partner Institution: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Frank Würthner
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Tobias Brixner; Professor Dr. Ingo Fischer; Professorin Dr. Claudia Höbartner; Professor Dr. Christoph Lambert; Professor Dr. Matthias Lehmann; Professor Dr. Roland Mitric; Professorin Dr. Agnieszka Nowak-Król; Professorin Dr. Ann-Christin Pöppler; Dr. Princekumar Ravat; Dr. Merle Röhr; Professor Dr. Markus Sauer
• IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Mahesh Hariharan