Investigation of the Effect of pH on Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Using Raman Spectroscopy

Development of optically active nanomaterials for pH sensing at biological environments can offer many advantages for biomedical examinations and drug delivery applications. Raman spectroscopy, a rapid and low intrusive optical technique, has been widely used in biological studies. Since pH is an important variable in many pathological and physiological pathways, nanoscale Raman pH probes can expand opportunities for pH sensing and controlling at biological interfaces. In this study, Raman spectra of a pH responsive self-assembled mesophase in water was investigated upon varying the pH of the solution. Raman peaks of the mesophase can be addressed as pH dependent optical output, enabling the material to be used as a nano-platform for Raman pH sensing.