This paper presents the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized with fluorescent molecules, in particular with xanthene-based dyes, i.e., fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC, max = 485 nm) and rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RITC, max = 555 nm). An in-depth characterization of the particle-dye systems, i.e., AgNPs-RITC and AgNPs-FITC, is presented to evaluate their chemical structure and optical properties due to the interaction between their plasmonic and absorption properties. UV-Vis spectroscopy and the dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements confirmed the nanosize of the AgNPs-RITC and AgNPs-FITC. Synchrotron radiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SR-XPS) was used to study the chemical surface functionalization by structural characterization, confirming/examining the isothiocyanate-metal interaction. For AgNPs-RITC, in which the plasmonic and fluorescence peak are not superimposed, the transient dynamics of the dye fluorescence were also studied. Transient absorption measurements showed that by exciting the AgNPs-RITC sample at a wavelength corresponding to the AgNP plasmon resonance, it was possible to preferentially excite the RITC dye molecules attached to the surface of the NPs with respect to the free dye molecules in the solution. These results demonstrate how, by combining plasmonics and fluorescence, these AgNPs can be used as promising systems in biosensing and imaging applications.

Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized by Fluorescein Isothiocyanate or Rhodamine B Isothiocyanate: Fluorescent and Plasmonic Materials

Daniele Catone;Alessandra Paladini;Patrick O'Keeffe;Silvia Nappini;
2021

Abstract

This paper presents the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized with fluorescent molecules, in particular with xanthene-based dyes, i.e., fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC, max = 485 nm) and rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RITC, max = 555 nm). An in-depth characterization of the particle-dye systems, i.e., AgNPs-RITC and AgNPs-FITC, is presented to evaluate their chemical structure and optical properties due to the interaction between their plasmonic and absorption properties. UV-Vis spectroscopy and the dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements confirmed the nanosize of the AgNPs-RITC and AgNPs-FITC. Synchrotron radiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SR-XPS) was used to study the chemical surface functionalization by structural characterization, confirming/examining the isothiocyanate-metal interaction. For AgNPs-RITC, in which the plasmonic and fluorescence peak are not superimposed, the transient dynamics of the dye fluorescence were also studied. Transient absorption measurements showed that by exciting the AgNPs-RITC sample at a wavelength corresponding to the AgNP plasmon resonance, it was possible to preferentially excite the RITC dye molecules attached to the surface of the NPs with respect to the free dye molecules in the solution. These results demonstrate how, by combining plasmonics and fluorescence, these AgNPs can be used as promising systems in biosensing and imaging applications.
2021
Istituto di Struttura della Materia - ISM - Sede Roma Tor Vergata
Istituto Officina dei Materiali - IOM -
Istituto di Struttura della Materia - ISM - Sede Secondaria Montelibretti
surface plasmon resonance
silver nanoparticles
rhodamine B isothiocyanate
fluorescein isothiocyanate
fluorescence
plasmonic materials
optical nanomaterials
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Descrizione: Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized by Fluorescein Isothiocyanate or Rhodamine B Isothiocyanate: Fluorescent and Plasmonic Materials
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/400960
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