Superquenching of coumarin 153 by gold nanoparticles

Superquenching of the laser dye, coumarin 153 (C153), by 16–59 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is reported from the steady state and time-resolved fluorometric investigations. Quenching of the steady state fluorescence of C153 and its fluorescence lifetime reveals energy transfer from the probe to AuNP in the photoexcited state. The Stern–Volmer constants (KSV, 107–109 mol−1 dm3) determined from the quenching of the donor lifetime in the presence of AuNPs of varying sizes are orders of magnitude higher than those for the normal photochemical quenching processes. The quenching efficiency increases with an increase in the size of the nanoparticles. The importance of the work lies in providing a new and simple system to be exploited for developing biosensor with high degree of sensitivity.

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► Super-efficient quenching of C153 by AuNPs of varying dimensions demonstrated.
► Stern–Volmer constant values are orders higher than the normal quenching processes.
► Quenching efficiency increases with an increase in the particle size of the AuNPs.
► Efficient energy transfer and intense absorption of AuNPs impart superquenching.