BODIPY-C₆₀-helical peptide constructs could form densely packed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold surfaces. Ultra-fast electrochemistry experiments showed the helical peptide was a better electron mediator compared to an alkyl chain. This property was exploited along with those of the BODIPY-C₆₀ dyads for photo-current generation by converting the resulting excited and/or charge separated states produced by photo-illumination into electrical energy.

Abstract

Two BODIPY-C₆₀-peptide assemblies were synthesized by CuAAC reactions of BODIPY-C₆₀ dyads and a helical peptide functionalized with a terminal alkyne group and an azide group, respectively. The helical peptide within these assemblies was functionalized at its other end by a disulfide group, allowing formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold surfaces. Characterizations of these SAMs, as well as those of reference molecules (BODIPY-C₆₀-alkyl, C₆₀-peptide and BODIPY-peptide), were carried out by PM-IRRAS and cyclic voltammetry. BODIPY-C₆₀-peptide SAMs are more densely packed than BODIPY-C₆₀-alkyl and BODIPY-peptide based SAMs. These findings were attributed to the rigid peptide helical conformation along with peptide-peptide and C₆₀-C₆₀ interactions within the monolayers. However, less dense monolayers were obtained with the target assemblies compared to the C₆₀-peptide, as the BODIPY entity likely disrupts organization within the monolayers. Finally, electron transfer kinetics measurements by ultra-fast electrochemistry experiments demonstrated that the helical peptide is a better electron mediator in comparison to alkyl chains. This property was exploited along with those of the BODIPY-C₆₀ dyads in a photo-current generation experiment by converting the resulting excited and/or charge separated states from photo-illumination of the dyad into electrical energy.