Dextran-graft-PNIPAM / Au nanoparticles / perylenediimide hybrid system as thermosensitive optical switches and fluorescent labels for potential use in nanophotonics and biomedical applications

Abstract

A triple thermosensitive polymer Dextran-g-Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Au nanoparticles/Perylenediimide (D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs/PDI) hybrid nanosystem was formulated in aqueous solution for potential use as thermoresponsive fluorescent optical switch and label. The completely reversible effect of sharp enhancement-quenching of the photoluminescence of D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs/PDI nanosystem was revealed during the heating-cooling cycle in the narrow temperature range of 25–47 °C, containing the temperature point of the LCST phase transition of the thermosensitive polymer. The sharp change in the intensity of photoluminescence was shown to result from the competing effects of plasmonic enhancement and non-radiative FRET transfer of electronic excitation energy during thermo-induced LCST transition of the D-g-PNIPAM macromolecule. The observed effect allows to carry out the temperature control of the photoluminescence intensity, which appears to be particularly important for potential applications of D-g-PNIPAM/AuNPs/PDI hybrid nanosystem in photonics, biology and medicine, such as thermosensitive fluorescent optical switch and label or intracellular fluorescent thermometer.