Concomitant Organization of Fluorescent Dyes and Au Nanoparticles in Spin-Coated Films of Diblock Copolymer Micelles

Abstract

Concomitant organization of fluorescent dyes and metal nanoparticles supporting localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) can alter the fluorescence of given dye molecules. Since LSPR of metal nanoparticles exponentially decreases with distance, it is important to organize dyes and nanoparticles in nanoscale proximity in engineering their mutual interactions. In this regard, we utilized a singlelayered micellar film of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) copolymers. In the presented approach, compartmentalization of dyes and Au nanoparticles in distinct regions of the micellar film was achieved by one-step spin-coating method, while numerous assembling and purification steps are typically necessary in colloidal assembling methods. Furthermore, the distance between dyes and nanoparticles in the micellar films, which is the key experimental parameter in controlling nanoparticle-dye interaction, could be easily engineered by simply changing the molar mas of PS-b-P4VP copolymers. This allowed us to investigate the effects of nanoparticles on dye fluorescence in the micellar film.