Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence in Electrospun Nanofibers of Polydiacetylenes Infused with Silver Nanoparticles.

A hybrid computational and experimental approach was employed toward the rational design of a silver nanoparticle (AgNP)/polydiacetylene (PDA) metal-enhanced fluorophore (MEF) ensemble system contained within a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) electrospun nanofiber matrix for creation of high-performance sensors. Simulations based on Mie theory and finite-difference time domain (FDTD) algorithms were performed to understand and optimize spectral overlap between the AgNP localized surface plasmon resonance and the absorbance and emission spectra of PDA, a supramolecular polymer fluorophore. A series of AgNPs of varied sizes were investigated for fluorescence enhancement capability, and an optimal size of 134 nm in diameter was chosen for synthesis and incorporation into the electrospun nanofibers of a PDA/PEO composite for experimental characterization and confirmation.

Dual-mode optical sensing of organic vapors and proteins with polydiacetylene (PDA)-embedded electrospun nanofibers.

Optical sensors capable of colorimetric visualization and/or fluorescence detection have shown tremendous potential for field technicians and emergency responders, owing to the portability and low cost of such devices. Polydiacetylene (PDA)-enhanced nanofibers are particularly promising due to high surface area, facile functionalization, simple construction, and the versatility to empower either colorimetric or fluorescence signaling. We demonstrate here a dual-mode optical sensing with electrospun nanofibers embedded with various PDAs.