Amplified fluorescence quenching of self-assembled polyelectrolyte-dye nanoparticles in aqueous solution

Amplified fluorescence quenching of self-assembled polyelectrolyte-dye nanoparticles in aqueous solutions was demonstrated. Atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) were used to confirm the morphology of the polyelectrolyte-dye aggregates. The self aggregation of the PAH:PSA complex was then investigated by light scattering measurement and the complexes demonstrated increased scattering intensity. It was found that the ionic complexes of PAH:PSA can self-aggregate to nanoparticles in dilute aqueous solution, driven by the electrostatic interaction of ion pairs and during the spontaneous self-assembly, the confinement of pyrene molecules results in the fluorescence of excimer that can be efficiently and selectively quenched by anionic quencher AQS2-.