Near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy of single-walled carbon nanotubes and its applications

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) emit fluorescence at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths that are characteristic of the specific diameter and the chiral angle. While providing a convenient method for structural identification of semiconducting SWCNTs, NIR fluorescence of SWCNTs also offers a powerful approach for sensor development and in vivo or real-time imaging of biological systems.This article provides an introductory overview of the approaches to obtaining individually dispersed semiconducting SWCNTs with reasonably good purity, which is a critical step in acquiring NIR fluorescence spectra. It also summarizes the progress since 2002 in sensor design and applications in bioimaging in vitro and in vivo using NIR fluorescence of semiconducting SWCNTs.     

A mathematical model based on the limit dilution method to obtain linear calibration curves which eliminate the matrix effect in quantitative analysis by X-ray fluorescence

We propose a mathematical model from an analytical application viewpoint inspired in the limit dilution method. The theoretical development of the model and its results are given. The model shows that there is a linear relation between the inverse of fluorescence intensity and the inverse of the dilution factor; each analytic system (sample, diluent and analyte) is characterised by a general linear function which is easily obtained. The analytical applications arising from this linearity are of great importance in X-ray fluorescence analysis. The following immediate applications are proposed: direct procurement of the total correction factor Y/H, rapid calculation of the fluorescence intensity of the analyte in a sample (I_i^s) and direct calculation of the corrected fluorescence intensity (I_i^sF). The suggested model makes it possible to deduce a linear function between the fluorescence intensity of the analyte and the analyte concentration in successive dilutions of a standard; this straight line behaves as a calibration curve with direct application in X-ray fluorescence analysis. The proposed model may be applied to complex samples of geological origin, with elimination of the matrix effect. The results obtained in the determination of Ca, K, Fe and Ti in a standard soil show complete agreement with the certified reference values with a relative error about 0.5%, even using a standard shale with very different chemical composition as reference sample.     

Studies of the Interaction Between Ronidazole and Human Serum Albumin by Spectroscopic and Molecular Docking Methods

Ronidazole (RNZ) is widely used for the therapeutic treatment of farmed animals and is suspected of being a human carcinogen and mutagen. The interaction between RNZ and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated systematically by fluorescence spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence, three-dimensional fluorescence, CD spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and a molecular docking study. The results indicate that the probable quenching mechanism of HSA by RNZ is dynamic quenching. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔH, ΔS and ΔG, etc., were calculated according to the van’t Hoff equation. The results indicate that the forces acting between RNZ and HSA are mainly hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. The conformational changes in the interaction were studied by synchronous fluorescence, CD spectroscopy and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra. The results reveal that the microenvironment and conformation of HSA has been changed. A molecular modeling study further confirmed the binding mode obtained by the experimental studies.     

Spectral,lifetime and photochemical characteristics of 4-acetoxy-chalcone in viscous media

Both fluorescence and excitation spectra of 4-acetoxy-chalcone (4-AC) are bathochromically shifted as the medium polarity increases. The fluorescence quantum yields are sensitive to medium viscosity and increase sharply as the medium viscosity increases due to prohibition of radiationless deactivation pathways. The fluorescence lifetime of 4-AC in glycerol has been measured as τ = 1.9 ns. The photochemical quantum yields (thought to be a trans-cis photo-isomerization) are also sensitive to medium viscosity with minimum φ_c values obtained in highly viscous solvents. The effect of medium viscosity on the quenching of 4-AC fluorescence using picric acid as a quencher has been studied. A static-type quenching mechanism is proposed to account for the quenching efficiency as the medium viscosity increases.     

Near-infrared solid-state fluorescent naphthooxazine dyes attached with bulky dibutylamino and perfluoroalkenyloxy groups at 6- and 9-positions

No solid-state fluorescence is observed for 9-(diethylamino)benzo[a]phenoxazin-5-one (Nile Red). However, 9-dibutylamino-6-{perfluoro[4-methyl-3-(1-methylethyl)-2-penten]-2-oxy}benzo[a]phenoxazin-5-one showed fluorescence maximum at 717 nm in solid state with fluorescence quantum yield 0.024. X-ray crystallographic analysis suggests that prevention of network π−π interactions by the bulky fluorine-containing and dibutylamino groups is essential to show solid-state fluorescence.     

Interaction between Glyoxal-bis-(2-hydroxyanil) and Bovine Serum Albumin in Solution

The interaction between glyoxal-bis-(2-hydroxyanil) (GBH) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by spectroscopic methods including fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) and UV–visible absorption spectra. The mechanism for quenching the fluorescence of BSA by GBH is discussed. The number of binding sites n and observed binding constant K _b were measured by the fluorescence quenching method. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH ^θ , ΔG ^θ , and ΔS ^θ were calculated at different temperatures and the results indicate that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces played major roles in the reaction. The distance r between the donor (BSA) and acceptor (GBH) molecules was obtained according to Förster’s theory of non-radiation energy transfer. Synchronous fluorescence and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra were used to investigate the structural change of BSA molecules that occur upon addition of GBH, and these results indicate that the secondary structure of BSA molecules is changed by the presence of GBH.     

Bichromophoric hemicyanine dyes as fluorescence probes applied for monitoring of the photochemically initiated polymerization

The spectroscopic properties of series homodimmeric hemicyanine dyes based on (p-N,N-dimethylaminostyryl)benzothiazolium, (p-N,N-dimethylaminostyryl)benzoxazolium, (p-N,N-dimethylaminostyryl)-2,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indolium residues were determined. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the dyes under study were measured in different polarity solvents at room temperature. On the basis of the solvatochromic behavior the ground state (μ_g) and excited state (μ_e) dipole moments of bis-(N,N-dimethylaminostyryl) derivatives were evaluated. The dipole moments (μ_g and μ_e) were estimated from solvatochromic shifts of absorption and fluorescence spectra as function of dielectric constant (ε) and refractive index (n) of applied solvents. The absorption and fluorescence spectra are only slightly affected by the solvent polarity. The analysis of solvatochromic behavior of the fluorescence spectra as a function of Δf (ε, n) revealed that the emission occurs from a high polarity excited state. The large dipole moment changes along with the red-shifted fluorescence, as the solvent polarity is increased, demonstrates the formation of an intramolecular charge transfer state (ICT). Six bichromophoric hemicyanine dyes, possessing benzothiazole, benzoxazole or indolinium group linked by 5 or 10 methylene groups were evaluated as fluorescence probes applied for monitoring of the polymerization process. The study on the changes in fluorescence intensity and spectroscopic shift of studied compounds were carried out during photochemically initiated polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-propane-1,3-diol triacrylate (TMPTA).     

基于铜纳米簇的聚集诱导发光检测铅离子

基于谷胱甘肽保护的非贵金属铜纳米簇(Cu NCs@GSH)的聚集诱导发光现象,建立了快速检测铅离子(Pb2+)的“Turn on”型荧光分析方法.Cu NCs@GSH溶液荧光强度很弱,当存在pb2+时,荧光强度可显著增强,溶液显示明亮的橙黄色.基于此原理建立了检测pb2+的荧光方法,线性范围为200～700 μmol/L,检出限为106 μmol/L,常见金属离子不干扰pb2+的测定.本方法简单快速、选择性高,可实现对pb2+的可视化定性检测.     

Study on interaction between Tb(III) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-styrene) core-shell nanoparticles

Based on the synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-styrene) P(NIPAM-co-St) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) grafted P(NIPAM-co-St) core-shell nanoparticle, a new kind of thermoresponsive and fluorescent complex of Tb(III) and PNIPAM-g-P(NIPAM-co-St) (PNNS) was successfully prepared. The PNNS-Tb(III) complex was characterized with the different techniques. It was found that when PNNS with the core-shell structure interact with Tb(III), Tb(III) mainly bonded to O of the carbonyl groups of PNNS, forming the novel PNNS-Tb(III) complex. After forming the complex, the emission fluorescence intensity of Tb(III) in the complex is significantly enhanced. Especially, the maximum emission intensity of the PNNS-Tb(III) complex at 545 nm is enhanced about 223 times comparing to that of the pure Tb(III) because the effective intramolecular energy transfer from PNNS to Tb(III). The intramolecular energy transfer efficiency from PNNS to Tb(III) reaches 50%. The fluorescence intensity is related the weight ratio of Tb(III) and PNNS in the PNNS-Tb(III) complex. When the weight ratio of Tb(III) and the PNNS is 12 wt%, the enhancement of the emission fluorescence intensity at 545 nm is highest. This novel fluorescence characterization of the PNNS-Tb(III) complex may be useful in the fluorescence systems and the biomedical field.     

Inclusion as a driving force for the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) fluorescence of p-(N,N-diphenylamino)benzoic acid methyl ester (DPABME) in α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) aqueous solution

A 1:1 inclusion complex between p-(N,N-diphenylamino)benzoic acid methyl ester (DPABME) molecule and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in aqueous solution is formed with a stabilization constant of ca. 45.65 ± 3.59 M^?1 at 25 °C. The formation of the complex is accompanied by enhancement of the long wavelength fluorescence at 510 nm (attributed to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) due to twisting) relative to the normal fluorescence at 420 nm. In water, the long-wavelength fluorescence is hidden under the red tail of the normal fluorescence band due to quenching by non-radiative transition. Inclusion by CD reduces quenching and thus constitutes a driving force for DPABME to emit at longer wavelength via ICT process.     

A light scattering and fluorescence emission coupled ratiometry using the interaction of functional CdS quantum dots with aminoglycoside antibiotics as a model system

Any signals, if their intensities have simple functional relationship with analyte concentration, can be applied to analytical purposes. Rayleigh light scattering signals and fluorescence signals are twins in flurospectroscopy, so the light scattering signals are the major interference when the Stokes shift is small. Herein, we propose a light scattering and fluorescence emission (LS-FL) coupled ratiometry using CdS quantum dots (QDs) as a fluorescence probe to detect aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs). As model analytes, AGs, when attached to the surface of CdS-QDs via electrostatic interaction in aqueous medium, result in strong enhanced light scattering (LS) emission characterized at 376 nm and fluorescence quenching of CdS-QDs at 500 nm. Thus, a ratiometry using the coexistent light scattering and fluorescent emission signals has been proposed. Based on the linear relationship between logarithm of light scattering and fluorescence emission ratio (R) and logarithm of AGs concentration, a novel assay of AGs is established with the limits of detection (3σ) being 58-190 nmol l⁻¹, and applied successfully to detect AGs injection and serum samples.     

Origin of fluorescence in the cure reaction of aromatic dicyanates

The origin of fluorescence in the cure reaction of aromatic dicyanates was thoroughly investigated using a fluorescence spectrophotometer and a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Some highly pure cyanates or dicyanates, such as 4-cumylphenyl cyanate (CPCy), 2,2-bispheny cyanate (BIPCy) and tricumylphenoxy-s-triazine (TCT), were successfully synthesized for the investigation of the fluorescence origin. Fluorescence characterizations of the purchased bisphenol A dicyanate (BADCy) and the synthesized 2,2-bispheny cyanate (BIPCy) during the curing process were utilized to explain the self-quenching effect. The purchased 2,4,6-triphenoxy-1,3,5-triazine (TPOT), 2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-triazine (TPT) and the synthesized TCT, all of which possess a single s-triazine ring, were used as model compounds to pinpoint the exact origin of fluorescence. The results demonstrate that the origin of fluorescence in the curing process of aromatic dicyanates does neither arise from the s-triazine ring itself nor the intermolecular π-stacking, but from the substitution groups. The s-triazine ring in association with the substitution groups determined the characteristics of the fluorescence.     

A new 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzonitrile (DMABN) derivative with tetrathiafulvalene unit: modulation of the dual fluorescence of DMABN by redox reaction of tetrathiafulvalene unit

A new derivative of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzonitrile (DMABN) (compound 1) with TTF unit is reported. Compound 1 exhibits dual fluorescence, and moreover the dual fluorescence behavior can be modulated by reversible oxidation and reduction of TTF unit of 1 either chemically or electrochemically. Accordingly, a new molecular fluorescence switch is realized by coupling the features of TTF and DMABN.     

Influence of micellar media on the fluorescence of various benzo- and methyl-quinolizinium salts

The bebaviour of several different micelar systems (anionic, cationic and non-ionic) on the fluorescence of quinolizinium salts is studied. Important factors, such as pH and ionic strength that influence fluorescence parameters, are discussed. Fourteen quinolizinium salts (benzo and methyl derivatives) are examined as fluorescent probes in micellar media. All of them showed a marked increase of fluorescence intensity when sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions of critical micelle concentration (CMC) are added. The presence of non-ionic surfactants did not change the fluorescent emission of the probes. The emission intensity is much decreased when N-cetyl-N,N,N- trimethylammonium bromide concentrations are above the CMC. Changes in pH ido not significantly affect the fluorescence intensity of the benzo derivatives. Increasing the ionic strength decreases the fluorescence. For 9-cyanobenzo[a]phenanthro [9,10-g] quinolizinium chloride, the spectrum changes when the surfactant concentration is high than the CMC thereforre this compound is considered to be a good fluorescent probe in icell     

Recent advances in AIEgens for three-photon fluorescence bioimaging

Bioimaging is increasingly becoming an indispensable tool in disease diagnosis, clinical trials and medical practice. Fluorescence bioimaging is minimally invasive, affordable and portable, with the potential to become a widespread medical imaging technique. Currently, a serious challenge obstructing the large-scale clinical applications of fluorescence technique is the shallow penetration depth. Three-photon fluorescence offers several advantages over near-infrared and two-photon fluorescence, such as deeper penetration, more confined excitation areas and higher resolution. On the other hand, fluorophores displaying solid-state fluorescence are intriguing because they can emit bright fluorescence in the condensed phase, which is beneficial to imaging applications demanding intense emission signals. This review highlights the recent advances in small organic AIEgens for three-photon fluorescence bioimaging in vivo. The progress suggests that three-photon fluorescence imaging offers deep penetration, good photostablity and high signal-to-background contrast, which is valuable in fluorescence imaging in vivo.     

Structure-fluorescence relationship of push-pull 2-phenylbenzothiazole derivatives designed based on the firefly light-emitter

6-Dimethylamino-2-phenylbenzothiazole (1a) mimicking the firefly oxyluciferin structure and the derivatives with an electron-withdrawing substituent on the phenyl group were prepared, and their fluorescence properties were investigated in various solvents. 1a showed solvatochromic fluorescence with good fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_f >0.8). The introduction of an electron-withdrawing group led to a red-shift of the emission maximum. In particular, the derivatives with the 2,2-dicyanoethenyl and (1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-2H-inden-2-ylidene)methyl groups showed near-infrared fluorescence in chloroform. In addition, the derivative with the phenylimine moiety showed efficient solid-state fluorescence, resulted from a molecular arrangement inhibiting intermolecular interactions for quenching the fluorescence state in crystals.     

Carboxylic acid recognition of diamidine having a fluorescent 1,8-diphenylanthracene unit and its detection of amidinium-carboxylate and amidinium formation

A diphenylanthracene-based diamidine (1a) fluorescent probe for the detection of dicarboxylic acids has been designed and synthesized, which has an extended π-conjugation rather than a simple anthracene ring, in order to observe highly different fluorescence wavelengths after complex formation with dicarboxylic acids. The fluorescence spectra of the mixed solution of the diamidine 1a and carboxylic acids showed two different fluorescence bands, which corresponded to the complex formation (amidinium-carboxylate formation, λ_em?=?450?nm, light blue color) and dissociated amidinium formation (λ_em?=?510?nm as a broad band, green color). The complexed and dissociated states were confirmed by DOSY NMR and TD-DFT calculations. These different fluorescence wavelengths may come from the differences in the dihedral angles between the phenyl rings at the 1,8-position and anthracene ring (difference in π-conjugation) of 1a under complex formation and dissociated amidinium formation. The proposed mechanism for the observation of the different fluorescence wavelengths (complex formation and amidinium formation) was also confirmed by the fluorescence study of diamidine 1b which causes restricted rotation of the phenyl rings by substitution of the steric methyl groups, and observed the same fluorescence spectra for the complex formation and amidinium formation (400, 420, 450?nm as a vibrational structure of anthracene ring). These fluorescence characteristics of the diamidine 1a are also applicable for the detection of α,ω?dicarboxylic acids.     

List of subjects

The quantum yields of fluorescence and intersystem crossing in pyrazine-h₄ and -d₄ and pyrimidine vapors have been studied at moderately high pressures (50–100 Torr) in the presence of a foreign gas as a function of excitation energy in the S₁ (n, π*) ← S_o absorption region. The fluorescence quantum yield of pyrazine fluctuates in the lower energy region, but on the average is constant over the range of the excess vibrational energy 0–4000 cm^?1, whereas the fluorescence yield of pyrimidine decreases smoothly with increasing excess energy. For each of the three molecules, the intersystem crossing yield is approximately constant with a value near unity in a wide range of the excess energy, indicating that the intramolecular nonradiative transition from S₁ is governed by the crossing to the triplet state. From a calculation based on the first-order vibronic coupling (Herzberg-Teller) theory the radiative rate constant of the pyrazine fluorescence is found to be relatively large for the vibronic levels involving a non-totally symmetric vibration, ν₁₀₂. This accounts for the fluctuation of the fluorescence yields of pyrazine-h₄ and -d₄.     

Reaction of Zn(II) with a BINOL-amino-acid Schiff base: An unusual off-on-off fluorescence response

An amino-acid based Schiff base (S)-2 is prepared from the condensation of (S)-3,3′-diformyl BINOL (BINOL?=?1,1′-bi-2-naphthol) with l-valine in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol. This compound is found to exhibit off-on-off fluorescence response toward Zn²⁺. The spectroscopic studies reveal that (S)-2 reacts with 1 equiv Zn²⁺ to form a dimeric [2+2] complex with greatly enhanced fluorescence. Excess amount of Zn²⁺ might cause dissociation of this dimeric complex to give significantly reduced fluorescence.     

A new click reaction generated AIE-active polymer sensor for Hg2+ detection in aqueous solution

We described herein a new AIE-active polymer sensor incorporating triazole moiety for Hg²⁺ detection in aqueous solution. The polymer sensor P1 was synthesized from tetraphenylethene and diazidobenzene via click reaction. It shows typical AIE feature, and emits cyan fluorescence in the mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water, reaching the strongest fluorescence when the fraction of water (f_w) is 90%. In aqueous solution (f_w?=?90%), the polymer sensor can exhibit fluorescence quenching response towards Hg²⁺ over other competing metal ions, with the fluorescence color changed from cyan to almost no emission, which can be clearly observed by the naked eyes under 365?nm UV lamp.