Chapter 12 - Silica-Based Materials for Bioanalytical Chemistry and Optoelectronics

Abstract

Silica-based materials are well-known hosts for small organic molecules. Interaction of guest molecules with these hosts is generally noncovalent in nature. Similar noncovalent interaction is observed in host–guest complexes of silica nanostructures and organic molecules, leading to significant interest in their application in drug delivery. Moreover, organic molecules can be bound to silica nanostructures covalently, using silanol chemistry. Such nanoconjugates bear promise in bioanalysis and bioseparation. On the other hand, dye–silica conjugates are also believed to have potential application in optoelectronic devices. This chapter provides a brief account of the different kinds of meso-silica and nanostructures, as well as their conjugates with organic dyes. Recent examples of spectroscopic studies to assess the potential of these systems have also been discussed.