Aluminum nanoparticles as substrates for metal-enhanced fluorescence in the ultraviolet for the label-free detection of biomolecules.
We use finite-difference time-domain calculations to show that aluminum nanoparticles are efficient substrates for metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) in the ultraviolet (UV) for the label-free detection of biomolecules. The radiated power enhancement of the fluorophores in proximity to aluminum nanoparticles is strongly dependent on the nanoparticle size, fluorophore-nanoparticle spacing, and fluorophore orientation. Additionally, the enhancement is dramatically increased when the fluorophore is between two aluminum nanoparticles of a dimer. Finally, we present experimental evidence that functionalized forms of amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine exhibit MEF when spin-coated onto aluminum nanostructures.
Chowdhury
Mustafa H
MH
Center for Fluorescence Spectroscopy, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
Ray
Krishanu
K
Gray
Stephen K
SK
Pond
James
J
Lakowicz
Joseph R
JR
D000042:Absorption; D000535:Aluminum / Q000737:chemistry*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005453:Fluorescence; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D000596:Amino Acids; D011506:Proteins; D000535:Aluminum