title: Fluorescence enhancement by Au nanostructures: nanoshells and nanorods.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.
authors.forename: Rizia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bardhan
authors.forename: Nathaniel K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Grady
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Naomi J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Halas
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000737:chemistry; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins