Fluorescence Quenching of Xanthene Dyes by TiO2

Fluorescence Quenching of Xanthene Dyes during Amide Bond Formation Using DMTMM

Fluorophore bioconjugation to proteins, nucleic acids, and other important molecules can provide a powerful approach to sensing, imaging, and quantifying chemical and biological processes. One of the most prevalent methods for fluorophore attachment is through the formation of amide bonds, which are often facilitated by coupling agents to activate carboxylic acid moieties for subsequent nucleophilic attack by amines. 4-(4,6-Dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methyl-morpholinium chloride (DMTMM) is among the most popular of these coupling agents for bioconjugation due to its ability to facilitate amide bond formation in water. After observing quenching of 5-fluoresceinamine (5-FAM)-conjugated oligonucleotides in the presence of DMTMM, we sought to evaluate the magnitude and scope of this challenge by surveying the effect of DMTMM on a range of fluorescent dyes. A higher quenching effect was consistently observed for xanthene dyes compared to that for cyanine dyes. Further analysis of the impact of DMTMM on FAM shows that quenching occurs independently of whether the dye is free in solution or attached to an oligonucleotide or antibody. Furthermore, we found that FAM-conjugated DNA was unable to recover its fluorescence after the removal of DMTMM, and UV-vis and NMR analyses suggest the formation of new products, such as an adduct formed between FAM and the dimethoxytriazine of DMTMM. As such, DMTMM at high concentrations is not recommended for coupling reactions where targets are fluorescently labeled. This research serves as a word of caution to those utilizing xanthene-containing fluorophores in bioconjugation reactions involving DMTMM.

Preparation and Selection of Best-Performing Fluorescent-Based Tracers for Oil and Gas Downhole Applications

Cost-efficient tracers with fast and simple detection and quantification methods at low detection limits via on-site detection is a current industrial target for state-of-the-art tracer tests. To bridge the gap between the desired tracer properties and detection limits, we developed a broad spectrum of robust and cost-efficient fluorescent tags to innovate the current reservoir management practices. We engineered new tracers and extended tracer test applications for on-site real-time well-drilling monitoring to label drill cuttings as they are made at the drill-bit face to improve drill-cuttings depth correlation. These developed fluorescent tracers not only have the low detection limits of fluorescent spectroscopy techniques but also allow for automated detection at minimal concentrations of 0.025–0.037 mol.%. These developed tracers allow us to detect the real-time drilling depth, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon recovery. Thus, the reported innovative fluorescent-based tracing approach would (1) reduce drilling depth correlation uncertainty, (2) optimize well placement, and (3) maximize oil production.

Photosensitization of Colloidal TiO2 with ZnTPP and Pyrene

The interaction of Zinc(II) tetraphenyl porphyrin (ZnTPP) and pyrene with colloidal TiO2 was studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Upon excitation of its absorption band, the fluorescence emission of ZnTPP and pyrene was quenched by colloidal TiO2. The bimolecular quenching rate constant (kq ) is 4.09 × 1011 M−1s−1 for ZnTPP and 2.09 × 109 M−1s−1 for pyrene. ZnTPP and pyrene adsorbed on colloidal TiO2 can participate in the sensitization process by injecting electrons from their excited states into the conduction band of TiO2. The mechanism is discussed on the basis of free energy change (ΔGet) obtained from Rehm-Weller equation considering quenching rate constants and conduction band potential of colloidal TiO2.

Photoinduced electron transfer from phycoerythrin to colloidal metal semiconductor nanoparticles

Phycoerythrin is a water soluble pigment which absorbs in the visible region at 563 nm. The interaction of phycoerythrin with colloidal metal semiconductors was studied by absorption, FT-IR and fluorescence spectroscopy. Phycoerythrin adsorbed strongly on the surface of TiO(2) nanoparticles, the apparent association constant for the association between colloidal metal-TiO(2) nanoparticles and phycoerythrin was determined from fluorescence quenching data. The free energy change (DeltaG(et)) for electron transfer process has been calculated by applying Rehm-Weller equation.

Cyanobacterial chlorophyll as a sensitizer for colloidal TiO2

Chlorophyll has been extracted from cyanobacteria. The adsorption of chlorophyll on the surface of colloidal TiO(2) through electrostatic interaction was observed. The apparent association constant (K(app)) of chlorophyll-TiO(2) obtained from absorption spectra is 3.78x10(4)M(-1). The K(app) value of chlorophyll-TiO(2) as determined from fluorescence spectra is 1.81x10(4)M(-1), which matches well with that determined from the absorption spectra changes. These data indicate that there is an interaction between chlorophyll and colloidal TiO(2) nanoparticle surface. The dynamics of photoinduced electron transfer from chlorophyll to the conduction band of colloidal TiO(2) nanoparticle has been observed and the mechanism of electron transfer has been confirmed by the calculation of free energy change (DeltaG(et)) by applying Rehm-Weller equation as well as energy level diagram. Lifetime measurements gave the rate constant (k(et)) for electron injection from the excited state chlorophyll into the conduction band of TiO(2) is 4.2x10(8)s(-1).

Effect of anchoring group on the photosensitization of colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles with porphyrins

The interaction of porphyrins (TCPP, TSPP, TMeOPP and TPP) with colloidal TiO(2) nanoparticles was studied by infra-red, UV-visible absorption, steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The porphyrins (TCPP, TSPP and TMeOPP) adsorbed on the surface of colloidal TiO(2) nanoparticles through electrostatic interaction. According to absorption and fluorescence changes the apparent association constants (K(app)) were calculated. However, TPP did not interact with surface of colloidal TiO(2) nanoparticles due to the absence of anchoring group. The fluorescence quenching is attributable mainly to electron transfer from the excited state porphyrins to the conduction band of colloidal TiO(2). The rate of electron transfer process (k(et)) was calculated using lifetime measurement. The electron transfer mechanism has been proved by the calculation of free energy change (DeltaG(et)) by applying Rehm-Weller equation. Using all the spectroscopic measurements we confirmed that the presence of anchoring group plays major role in the adsorption as well as the electron transfer processes.

An investigation on electron transfer quenching of zinc(II) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) by colloidal TiO(2)

The interaction of zinc(II) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) with colloidal TiO(2) was studied by absorption, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The quenching was found to obey the Stern-Volmer equation and the corresponding Stern-Volmer plots were linear in the range of quencher concentration used 0-5 x 10(-4)M. The bimolecular quenching rate constants (k(q)) were 20.5 x 10(10)M(-1)s(-1) (steady-state) and 2.85 x 10(10)M(-1)s(-1) (time resolved). The quenching process is suggested to involve electron transfer from the ZnTPP to TiO(2) considering the experimental evidences obtained.

Fluorescence quenching of meso-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin by colloidal TiO(2)

A stable colloidal TiO(2) has been prepared. The interaction of meso-tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin (TSPP) with colloidal TiO(2) was studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Upon excitation of its absorption band, the fluorescence emission of TSPP was quenched by colloidal TiO(2). The bimolecular quenching rate constant (k(q)) is 1.78 x 10(11)M(-1)s(-1). The porphyrin can participate in the quenching process by injecting electrons from its excited states into the conduction band of TiO(2). The quenching mechanism is discussed on the basis of the quenching rate constant as well as the reduction potential of the colloidal TiO(2). Rehm-Weller equation was applied for the calculation of free energy change (DeltaG(et)).