title: Fluorescence lifetime analysis and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy elucidate the internal architecture of fluorescent silica nanoparticles.
abstract: Fluorescence lifetime (FL) analysis and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) have been successfully employed to reveal detailed information about the internal architecture of fluorescent silica nanoparticles (NPs). The dual-component lifetime behavior shows a two-domain dye distribution in the NP as a function of solvent accessibility. The introduction of an undoped silica shell serves to stabilize the outer dye fraction that is manifest as an increase in lifetime. The FCS not only shows a size-dependent increase in the cross-correlation decay constant but also demonstrates a significant relaxation in the FCS signal with the introduction of an undoped silica shell.
authors.affiliation: National Biophotonics and Imaging Platform, School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.
authors.forename: Shibsekhar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Woolley
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: MacCraith
authors.forename: Colette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McDonagh
mesh_terms: D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide