Sol-gels may be used as substrates for sensory materials in solutions. The fluorescent dye, 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), known to bind to DNA was investigated as a possible biosensor in silica sol-gel materials. UV-vis and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) were performed to observe a solution of silver nanoparticles and DAPI. Adsorption of DAPI onto silver nanoparticles causes rapid precipitation and loss of the SERS signal of DAPI in solution. Over time, spectra of the solution greatly diminished and could no longer be accurately observed. To facilitate the stabilization of DAPI in the presence of silver, sol-gels were synthesized via base-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetramethyl orthosilicate. Sol-gels were successfully synthesized and DAPI precipitation was prevented as suggested by UV-vis and SERS. The sol-gel matrix prevented excessive aggregation of the silver allowing the SERS signal due to DAPI to increase as the sol-gels are aged over time.

Stabilization of 4’,6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole (DAPI) in base-catalyzed sol-gels containing silver nanoparticles vs. solution using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.