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Environmental effects on electron transfer from chlorophyll triplet to quinone: role of dielectric constant, viscosity and quinone structure in cellulose acetate films

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6578474· OSTI ID:6578474
The effects of environmental parameters on chlorophyll triplet quenching and electron transfer to quinones have been investigated in a system consisting of donor and acceptor incorporated into a cellulose acetate film which was subsequently exposed to solvent. Triplet quenching by a diffusional mechanism was found to occur in the dry film, with steric effects being a major determinant of quencher effectiveness. No formation of separated radicals was found under these conditions, probably because the high viscosity prevented separation of the initially formed radical-ion pair. When the film was subsequently exposed to water, triplet quenching became more effective and separated radical production occurred. This is attributed to effects of decreased microviscosity and increased dielectric constant. Both steric effects and quinone redox potential were found to influence radical yields. Rate constants for reverse electron transfer were independent of quinone redox potential. When solvents other than pure water were used, radical yields were observed to increase with the dielectric constant. This is ascribed to an increase in the ease of separation of the radical-ion pair.
Research Organization:
Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA)
OSTI ID:
6578474
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/04927-T4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English