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Thinking outside the shell: novel sensors designed from plasmon-enhanced fluorescent concentric nanoparticles
Nicolas Fontaine1, Audrey Picard-Lafond, Jérémie Asselin
1Department of Chemistry, Université Laval, 1045 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, CanadaG1V 0A6. denis.boudreau@chm.ulaval.ca.
The Analyst
|August 21, 2020
Summary
Metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) in core-shell nanostructures boosts fluorophore performance. These MEF nanosensors offer enhanced luminosity, photostability, and tunable sensitivity for diverse applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Plasmon- or metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) involves altering fluorophore properties near metallic nanostructures.
- Nanostructure design aims to stabilize fluorophore-metal proximity for improved optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review MEF-based concentric core-shell sensors developed recently.
- To discuss design aspects influencing MEF, including structure, distance, and composition.
- To highlight applications of functionalized MEF nanosensors.
Main Methods:
- Review of MEF-based concentric core-shell sensor architectures.
- Analysis of nanocomposite structure's influence on fluorescence intensity and lifetime.
- Discussion of chemical composition, including non-noble metals and halide-sensing mechanisms.
- Description of substrate functionalization for pH-sensitive MEF nanosensors.
Main Results:
- Core-shell architectures enhance fluorophore luminosity and photostability.
- Fluorescence properties depend on distance to the plasmonic core.
- Indium cores can enhance multiple fluorophores and tune halide-sensing sensitivity.
- Functionalized substrates yield intense, photostable pH-sensitive nanosensors.
Conclusions:
- MEF-based core-shell sensors offer advanced functionalities beyond traditional fluorescent molecules.
- Nanocomposite design is crucial for optimizing MEF and sensor performance.
- MEF nanosensors have broad applicability in diagnostics, biochemistry, and microfluidics.
