Temperature-dependent fluorescence quenching and Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in phenanthroline derivative and ZrO2 nanoparticles using spectroscopic method

Abstract

1,10-Phenanthroline monohydrate (1,10-phen) is a fluorescent compound and a chemically versatile ligand that forms complexes with transition metals. The fluorescence quenching study has been done for 1,10-phen in the present study. We have synthesized Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles (NPs) by the modified precipitation method followed by post-hydrothermal synthesis. The synthesized NPs were subjected to x-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive x-ray, Ultraviolet-visible, and Fluorimetry characterization techniques. The effect of ZrO2 NPs on absorption and emission spectra of 1,10-phen has been investigated through spectroscopic technique. The excitation and emission wavelengths of 1,10-phen are observed to be 280 and 363 nm, respectively. Temperature studies to differentiate between static and dynamic quenching have been done through the Stern–Volmer plot. The type of fluorescence quenching mechanism is found to be collisional quenching. A study of the Forster resonance energy transfer theory on 1,10-phen was carried out with metal oxide ions. There is a considerable energy transfer between 1,10-phen and metal oxide ions. The present investigation can be aided in various applications, such as fluorescent biosensors and medical diagnosis.