Browsing by Subject "Fluorescence quenching"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Open Access
Broadband optical transparency in plasmonic nanocomposite polymer films via exciton-plasmon energy transfer
(OSA - The Optical Society, 2016) Dhama R.; Rashed, A. R.; Caligiuri V.; El Kabbash M.; Strangi, G.; De Luca A.
Inherent absorptive losses affect the performance of all plasmonic devices, limiting their fascinating applications in the visible range. Here, we report on the enhanced optical transparency obtained as a result of the broadband mitigation of optical losses in nanocomposite polymeric films, embedding core-shell quantum dots (CdSe@ZnS QDs) and gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). Exciton-plasmon coupling enables non-radiative energy transfer processes from QDs to metal NPs, resulting in gain induced transparency of the hybrid flexible systems. Experimental evidences, such as fluorescence quenching and modifications of fluorescence lifetimes confirm the presence of this strong coupling between plexcitonic elements. Measures performed by means of an ultra-fast broadband pump-probe setup demonstrate loss compensation of gold NPs dispersed in plastic network in presence of gain. Furthermore, we compare two films containing different concentrations of gold NPs and same amount of QDs, to investigate the role of acceptor concentration (Au-NPs) in order to promote an effective and efficient energy transfer mechanism. Gain induced transparency in bulk systems represents a promising path towards the realization of loss compensated plasmonic devices. © 2016 Optical Society of America.
Open Access
Investigation of binding properties of dicationic styrylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridinium dyes to human serum albumin by spectroscopic techniques
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2017) Özdemir, A.; Gökoğlu, E.; Yılmaz, Esra; Yalçın, E.; Gökoğlu, E.; Seferoğlu, Z.; Tekinay, T.
The binding interaction between two dicationic styrylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridinium dyes and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated at physiological conditions using fluorescence, UV–vis absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Analysis of the fluorescence titration data at different temperatures suggested that the fluorescence quenching mechanism of HSA by these dyes was static. The calculated thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°) indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces played a major role in the formation of the dye–HSA complex. Binding distances (r) between dyes and HSA were calculated according to Förster's non-radiative energy transfer theory. Studies of conformational changes of HSA using CD measurements indicate that the α-helical content of the protein decreased upon binding of the dyes.
Open Access
Template-free synthesis of organically modified silica mesoporous thin films for TNT sensing
(American Chemical Society, 2010) Yildirim, A.; Budunoglu, H.; Deniz, H.; Güler, Mustafa O.; Bayındır, Mehmet
In this paper, we present a facile, template-free sol−gel method to produce fluorescent and highly mesoporous organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) thin films for vapor phase sensing of TNT. An alkyltrifunctional, methyltrimethoxysilane MTMS precursor was used to impart hydrophobic behavior to gel network in order to form the spring back effect. In this way, porous films (up to 74% porosity) are obtained at ambient conditions. Fluorescent molecules are physically encapsulated in the ORMOSIL network during gelation. Fluorescence of the films was found to be stable even after 3 months, proving the successful fixing of the dye into the ORMOSIL network. The functional ORMOSIL thin films exhibited high fluorescence quenching upon exposition to TNT and DNT vapor. Fluorescence quenching responses of the films are thickness-dependent and higher fluorescence quenching efficiency was observed for the thinnest film (8.6% in 10 s). The prepared mesoporous ORMOSIL thin films have great potential in new sensor and catalysis applications.