Ceria/polymer nanocontainers for high-performance encapsulation of fluorophores
We report the synthesis of high-performance organic–inorganic hybrid fluorescent nanocapsules comprising a polymer shell armored with an inorganic layer and a liquid core containing a fluorophore. The polymeric capsules are synthesized by free radical miniemulsion polymerization and contain covalently bound carboxylate surface functionalities that allow for the binding of metal ions through electrostatic interaction. A cerium(IV) oxide nanoparticle layer, formed in situ at the surface of the hybrid nanocapsules, acts as oxygen scavenger and keeps external reactive molecular oxygen from entering into the capsules, eventually resulting in a reduction of the photooxidation of encapsulated fluo…
Temperature Sensing in Cells Using Polymeric Upconversion Nanocapsules
Monitoring local temperature inside cells is crucial when interpreting biological activities as enhanced cellular metabolism leads to higher heat production and is commonly correlated with the presence of diseases such as cancer. In this study, we report on polymeric upconversion nanocapsules for potential use as local nanothermometers in cells by exploiting the temperature dependence of the triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion phenomenon. Nanocapsules synthesized by the miniemulsion solvent evaporation technique are composed of a polymer shell and a liquid core of rice bran oil, hosting triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion active dyes as sensitizer and emitter molecules. The sens…
A Simple and Versatile Route to Stable Quantum Dot−Dye Hybrids in Nonaqueous and Aqueous Solutions
Hybrid systems consisting of core/shell semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and organic rylene dyes have been prepared and characterized. Complex formation is mediated by bidentate carboxylate moieties covalently linked to the dye molecules. The complexes were very stable with respect to time (at least months), dilution (sub nM), and precipitation. After preparation in organic solvent, complexes could be easily transferred into water. The strong quenching of QD emission by the dye molecules (transfer efficiencies up to 95%) was satisfactorily modeled by an FRET process. Single complexes immobilized in thin polymer films were imaged by confocal fluorescence microscopy.
Temperature‐Responsive Nanoparticles Enable Specific Binding of Apolipoproteins from Human Plasma
Apolipoproteins are an important class of proteins because they provide a so-called stealth effect to nanoparticles. The stealth effect on nanocarriers leads to a reduced unspecific uptake into immune cells and thereby to a prolonged blood circulation time. Herein, a novel strategy to bind apolipoproteins specifically on nanoparticles by adjusting the temperature during their incubation in human plasma is presented. This specific binding, in turn, allows a control of the stealth behavior of the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with a well-defined poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) shell are prepared, displaying a reversible change of hydrophobicity at a temperature around 32 °C. It is shown by label-f…