Publications [#384596] of Peng Zhang

Journal Articles

1. Nuomin, H; Song, F-F; Zhang, P; Beratan, DN, Correlated Reaction Coordinate Motion Produces Nonadditive Rate Enhancement for Electron and Energy Transfer in Multiacceptor Structures., Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 147 no. 30 (July, 2025), pp. 26877-26888 [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/17)

   Abstract:
   Molecular structures with multiple donor, bridge, or acceptor units can display quantum interference effects that influence electron and energy transfer (ET and EnT) rates. Recent experiments found a 4-5-fold increase in ET rates for donor-acceptor structures with two acceptors compared to one. This result is surprising: simple classical or quantum analysis suggests a factor of 2 rate enhancement. We analyze the coupling interactions in multi-acceptor systems and find that rate enhancements beyond additive effects arise from acceptor-acceptor interactions that (1) shift the reaction free energy, (2) change the donor-acceptor couplings, and (3) alter the reaction-coordinate motion. Consideration of these effects explains the observed rates in multiacceptor systems and suggests strategies to tailor energy and electron transfer kinetics.