title: Förster resonance energy transfer studies of luminescent gold nanoparticles functionalized with ruthenium(II) and rhenium(I) complexes: modulation via esterase hydrolysis.
abstract: A number of ruthenium(II) and rhenium(I) bipyridine complexes functionalized with lipoic acid moieties have been synthesized and characterized. Functionalization of gold nanoparticles with these chromophoric ruthenium(II) and rhenium(I) complexes has resulted in interesting supramolecular assemblies with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) properties that could be modulated via esterase hydrolysis. The luminescence of the metal complex chromophores was turned on upon cleavage of the ester bond linkage by esterase to reduce the efficiency of FRET quenching. The prepared nanoassembly conjugates have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible spectroscopy, and emission spectroscopy. The quenching mechanism has also been studied by transient absorption and time-resolved emission decay measurements. The FRET efficiencies were found to vary with the nature of the chromophores and the length of the spacer between the donor (transition metal complexes) and the acceptor (gold nanoparticles).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Functional Materials (Areas of Excellence Scheme, University Grants Committee (Hong Kong)) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong , Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Frankie Chi-Ming
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Anthony Yiu-Yan
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Vonika Ka-Man
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Mei-Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Vivian Wing-Wah
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Yam
mesh_terms: D004950:Esterases / Q000737:chemistry*; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D049449:Luminescence; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012211:Rhenium / Q000737:chemistry*; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012211:Rhenium; D006046:Gold; D012428:Ruthenium; D004950:Esterases