| Abstract
| - Highly fluorescent Nile Red (NR) nanoparticles embedded in a hybrid sol−gel glass are reported. The crystallitegrowth within the confined system created by the porous hybrid matrix results in NR nanoparticles of averageddimensions below 36 nm. The preparation process allows for the control of both the conformation adoptedby single NR molecules prior to aggregation (e.g., near planar) and the configuration of the aggregates (e.g.,oblique with φ < 54.7°) prior to their assembly in the supramolecular architecture which ultimately formsthe nanoparticles. The full preservation of the fluorescent configuration of the aggregates in the nanoparticlesis confirmed through the application of the exciton theory, and it is responsible for the significant increase ofthe fluorescence emission intensity (e.g., up to 525- and 70-fold as compared to that obtained for single NRmolecules embedded in pure and hybrid silica glasses, respectively).
|
