Publication: Discovery of an exceptionally strong luminescence of polyethyleneimine-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles
Program
KU Authors
Co-Authors
Erdem, Emre
Ow-Yang, Cleva W.
Publication Date
Language
Type
Embargo Status
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Alternative Title
Abstract
Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is rarely recognized as a luminescent polymer but is frequently used for the production of cationic nanoparticles and tagged with an organic fluorophore to be tracked optically. Herein, a strongly luminescent, branched PEI-superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (bPEI-SPION) without a traditional fluorophore is reported. A tremendous enhancement (1200 times) in the weak blue luminescence of bPEI is achieved only if it is adsorbed on a SPION during the synthesis of nanoparticles, which is improved further upon protonation, irreversibly. This is quite unexpected since SPIONs are strong absorbers in the visible region. All reaction parameters, different synthetic methods, as well as protonation are studied as independent factors to understand the origin of such enhancement. Detailed spectroscopic analysis and density functional theory calculations indicate that partial amine oxidation and Fe3+ reduction takes place during the synthesis, which significantly contributes to the luminescence enhancement. In addition, PEI-SPION exhibits excitation wavelength dependent emission and maintains its magnetic properties.
Source
Publisher
Wiley-V C H Verlag Gmbh
Subject
Polymers, Polymerization
Citation
Has Part
Source
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Book Series Title
Edition
DOI
10.1002/macp.201700563