Color-tunable encapsulated perylene-labeled silica fluorescent hybrid nanoparticles

Abstract

Novel fluorescent nanoparticles were prepared via the encapsulation of perylene diimide into silica nanoparticles. The fluorescent nanoparticles were characterized by various analytical techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), and fluorescent optical microscopy (FOM). The diameters of the perylene-labeled silica nanoparticles were detected in the range of 40–180 nm. The emission properties of the prepared perylene-labeled silica nanoparticles were explored. The perylene-labeled silica nanoparticles displayed good photo and thermal properties. Depending on the type of the perylene salt, the composite nanoparticles showed tunable colors ranging between yellow, orange, and red. The diluted solutions of perylenes in aqueous media were highly fluorescent, displaying different colors between green and yellow, with a maximum emission at 510 nm and 650 nm, respectively. Those fluorescent perylene-labeled silica nanoparticles pave the road for the preparation of promising fluorescent substrates, including photonics, smart textiles, electronic displays, and optoelectronic devices.

Keywords

• Silica nanoparticles
• Perylene diimide
• Encapsulation
• Fluorescence
• Antimicrobial