Metal enhanced fluorescence of thiacyanine dye in layered polymer films

Abstract

The metal enhanced fluorescence of thiacyanine dye monomers in polymer films has been studied. To control the distance between dye molecules and silver nanoparticles a polymer spacer has been used. The spacer thickness has been varied using a layer-by-layer assembly method of polyelectrolytes. The best 4.5 times fluorescence enhancement has been observed for the 20 nm thick polymer spacer. The result has been confirmed both by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies.