Enhancing fluorescence of quantum dots by silica-coated gold nanorods under one- and two-photon excitation.
Nano-composites of quantum dots (QDs) and gold nanorods (GNRs) or silica-coated GNRs (GNRs_SiO2) were synthesized. The attached GNRs modify the excitation intensity and spontaneous emission of QDs through the surface plasmonic effects. The fluorescence from QDs is enhanced and can be optimized by modifying the thickness of silica coated on GNRs, under both one- and two-photon excitations. The measurements of fluorescence intensity and lifetime demonstrate that the enhancement may be attributed to the matching of the localized surface plasmon resonance of GNR to the excitation wavelength. In addition to enhancing QD-fluorescence in QD-GNR@SiO2, GNRs also present as an effective contrast agent for bio-imaging, through light scattering and or two-photon emission, as well as for photo-thermal therapy. The composite's multifunctional characteristics are highly valuable and to be exploited in bio-applications.
Li
Xin
X
Centre for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, State Key Laboratory for Modern Optical Instrumentation, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
Kao
Fu-Jen
FJ
Chuang
Chien-Chin
CC
He
Sailing
S
D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008029:Lighting / Q000379:methods*; D036641:Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D045663:Quantum Dots; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
D006046:Gold; D012822:Silicon Dioxide