The heavy-atom effect on singlet oxygen generation in the presence of plasmonic silver nanoparticles

Abstract

The effect of heavy atoms on singlet oxygen generation in the plasmon field of silver nanoparticles was investigated. Rhodamine 123 and dibromo rhodamine 123 dyes embedded in polyvinyl butyral films were selected as sensitizers. The dye films were deposited via spin coating onto silver island films synthesized on quartz substrates. The results indicate that the presence of a heavy atom (bromine) in dye molecules enhances phosphorescence effi ciency and singlet oxygen generation. The calculated Stern-Volmer constants demonstrate an increased rate of oxygen quenching of the dye triplet states in the presence of Ag nanoparticles.