Fluorescence enhancement by Au nanostructures: nanoshells and nanorods

Rizia Bardhan; Nathaniel K Grady; Joseph R Cole; Amit Joshi; Naomi J Halas

doi:10.1021/nn900001q

Fluorescence enhancement by Au nanostructures: nanoshells and nanorods

ACS Nano. 2009 Mar 24;3(3):744-52. doi: 10.1021/nn900001q.

Authors

Rizia Bardhan¹, Nathaniel K Grady, Joseph R Cole, Amit Joshi, Naomi J Halas

Affiliation

¹ Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.

PMID: 19231823
DOI: 10.1021/nn900001q

Abstract

Metallic nanoparticles influence the quantum yield and lifetime of adjacent fluorophores in a manner dependent on the properties of the nanostructure. Here we directly compare the fluorescence enhancement of the near-infrared fluorophore IR800 by Au nanoshells (NSs) and Au nanorods (NRs), where human serum albumin (HSA) serves as a spacer layer between the nanoparticle and the fluorophore. Our measurements reveal that the quantum yield of IR800 is enhanced from approximately 7% as an isolated fluorophore to 86% in a NSs-HSA-IR800 complex and 74% in a NRs-HSA-IR800 complex. This dramatic increase in fluorescence shows tremendous potential for contrast enhancement in fluorescence-based bioimaging.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Albumins / chemistry
Biosensing Techniques / methods*
Fluorescence*
Humans
Nanostructures / chemistry*
Nanostructures / ultrastructure

Substances

Albumins