Interaction of fluorescent sensor with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

To sense superparamagnetic iron oxides (Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) nanocrystals a sensitive bioactive phenanthroimidazole based fluorescent molecule, 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole has been designed and synthesized. Electronic spectral studies show that phenanthroimidazole is bound to the surface of iron oxide semiconductors. Fluorescent enhancement has been explained on the basis of photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism and apparent binding constants have been deduced. Binding of phenanthroimidazole with iron oxide nanoparticles lowers the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of phenanthroimidazole molecule. Chemical affinity between the nitrogen atom of the phenanthroimidazole and Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) ions on the surface of the nano-oxide may result in strong binding of the phenanthroimidazole derivative with the nanoparticles. The electron injection from the photoexcited phenanthroimidazole to the iron oxides conduction band explains the enhanced fluorescence.