When metallic nanoparticles encounter light of a specific resonant frequency, the electron clouds oscillate collectively in a phenomena known as surface plasmon resonance (LSPR).This LSPR effect can be observed as a maxima in optical absorption and is often occurs in the visible region of light. This effect can influence nearby fluorophores and cause either enhancement or quenching of fluorescence. The chosen fluorophore, riboflavin (vitamin B2), has absorption and emission spectra that overlap differently with the LSPR peaks of gold and silver nanoparticles. Effects on optical properties were investigated by electrostatically associating riboflavin and each nanoparticle separately in homogeneous solutions. To investigate the effects from the dye and the nanoparticles being associated by a more specific distance, nanoparticles and riboflavin were encapsulated into the aqueous phase of a water-in-oil nanoemulsion. This close proximity allowed for electron transfer and eventual degradation of riboflavin into the compound lumichrome. These conclusions are useful for the development of biological and chemical sensors.

Investigating the optical properties of riboflavin interacting with metallic nanoparticles

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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