The rotational dynamics and translational diffusion of a hydrophilic organic molecule, rhodamine 6G perchlorate (R6G ClO4) in small unilamellar vesicles formed by two different ionic surfactants, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), with cholesterol have been investigated using fluorescence spectroscopic methods. Moreover, in this article the formation of vesicle using anionic surfactant, SDS at different cholesterol-to-surfactant molar ratio (expressed by Q value (Q = [cholesterol]/[surfactant])) has also been reported. Visual observation, dynamic light scattering (DLS) study, turbidity measurement, steady state fluorescence anisotropy (r0) measurement, and eventually microscopic images reveal the formation of small unilamellar vesicles in aqueous solution. Also, in this study, an attempt has been made to observe whether the cationic probe molecule, rhodamine 6G (R6G) experiences similar or different microenvironment in cholesterol-SDS and cholesterol-CTAB assemblies with increase in cholesterol concentration. The influence of cholesterol on rotational and translational diffusion of R6G molecules has been investigated by monitoring UV-vis absorption, fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy, and finally fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) measurements. In cholesterol-SDS assemblies, due to the strong electrostatic attractive interaction between the negatively charged surface of vesicle and cationic R6G molecules, the rotational and diffusion motion of R6G becomes slower. However, in cholesterol-CTAB aggregates, the enhanced hydrophobicity and electrostatic repulsion induces the migration of R6G from vesicle bilayer to aqueous phase. The experimental observations suggest that the surface charge of vesicles has a stronger influence than the hydrophobicity of the vesicle bilayer on the rotational and diffusion motion of R6G molecules.

The role of relative concentrations of energy donors (fluorescein, D), acceptors (rhodamine, A) and silica on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency and dynamics in dye silica conjugates has been studied, as a part of our initial attempts to ascertain the potential of dye-silica nanoconjugates as light harvesting nanoantennae. Two types of dye-silica nanoconjugates, prepared by the co-condensation method, have been examined. The first is based on silica nanoshells (SNS-dye) while the second is based on silica nanoparticles (SNP-dye). Both these nanostructures have a diameter of approximately 25 nm. Efficient energy transfer (91% and 97%, respectively) has been observed in both, for total fluorophore concentration upto 5-6 mmol, irrespective of the D : A ratio. The lower efficiency at dye concentrations greater than these has been rationalized by the competitive self-quenching of D. A risetime of approximately 500 fs is observed in the A emission in SNS-dye, but there is no such feature in SNP-dye. The shape and size dependence of the FRET efficiency and dynamics has been rationalized as follows: the initial step of dye rich core formation in nanoparticles results in high proximity of dye molecules to each other, leading to highly efficient FRET than in nanoshells. In larger SNP-dye nanoconjugates of 65 nm in diameter, the FRET efficiency decreases to 85%, while a risetime in D emission emerges. This provides support to the proposed correlation between efficiency and packing. Hence, it is inferred that total fluorophore concentration, rather than D : A ratios, governs the FRET dynamics and efficiency in these systems.

Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) has been studied between fluorescein (donor, D) and rhodamine B (acceptor, A) bound covalently to the surface of silica nanoparticle (SNP-dye). This is a part of an ongoing effort toward development of light harvesting nanoantennae. The role of the D:A ratio and the total chromophore content on the efficiency of FRET has been investigated. At low number density (ca. 75 ± 15 dye molecules/particle) efficiency is dependent on the D:A ratio. It appears that the distribution of the dyes on the surface is inhomogeneous and that FRET occurs only between D and A molecules in very close proximity. The effect of self-quenching of the donor is not very significant for this number density. At higher number densities (ca. 700−1100 dye molecules/particle), a prominent rise in the acceptor emission is observed, perhaps indicating a more homogeneous distribution of the dye molecules, and D emission is quenched completely. However, D−D quenching is an issue here. So, it appears that the lower number density is a more favorable condition for FRET in these systems.

Core-shell conjugates of silica nanodisks and fluorescent dyes have been prepared. Rhodamine B, the reference, has been attached to the core, by surface functionalization of the pristine SNDs. Then, a layer of silica has been deposited on the composite nanodisks. Finally, the surface has been functionalized with fluorescein in one case and protoporphyrin IX in the other. These dyes exhibit pH-dependent fluorescence properties. The nanoconjugates are found to sense the pH of the medium, through systematic variation of the fluorescence intensity ratios of the reporter dye at the surface and the reference dye at the core. Moreover, the fluorescence lifetimes and corresponding amplitudes of the reporter dyes have been found to be reliable parameters for assessing the pH of the medium, even though the variation in lifetimes of fluorescein is rather small. In case of protoporphyrin, however, this variation is significantly large. Besides, the change in amplitudes is prominent in acidic as well as alkaline solutions. The temporal parameters can thus be used to ascertain the pH of the medium, when used in conjunction with each other.

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