Lanthanide-Boosted Singlet Oxygen from Diverse Photosensitizers along with Potent Photocatalytic Oxidation.

Singlet oxygen (O) plays a central role in photochemical and photobiological research. Although many photosensitizers for efficient O generation were reported, further improving its yield and oxidation power is still highly desirable. Instead of developing new ones, current photosensitizers might be boosted by mediators to facilitate energy transfer. Taking advantage of the long triplet state lifetime of lanthanide ions (Ln), we herein demonstrate their roles as potent oxidation mediators. Using oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) at neutral pH as a difficult model reaction, based on the fluorescence, phosphorescence, and metal-binding properties, various dyes and nanomaterials were classified into four types. The O emission of carbon dots and rose bengal was enhanced 4 times in the presence of Ce. Some nonphosphorescent, but strongly fluorescent dyes that are not known as photosensitizers can still be mediated by Ln to produce O, but metal-chelating calcein was not enhanced. Finally, nonemissive dyes failed to show activity. As mediators, the excited Ln can migrate a long distance and transfer energy to O, resulting in high O yield. Since redox-active Ce and Eu had the highest activity, participation of oxidation involving excited lanthanides might be possible too. In addition, Ln also enhanced the activity of graphene quantum dots, graphene oxide, and -CN. Rapid degradation of organic dyes was demonstrated, further supporting a high photocatalytic activity of the Ln-mediated system.