Hybrid squaraine-SiO2 nanoparticles extremely homogeneous in size (50±2 nm), and with photoluminescent emission in the optical tissue window, were prepare by using the reverse microemulsion technique. Three different high quantum-yield squaraine dyes were used and the photophysical behavior of the prepared samples were qualitatively and quantitatively studied, by steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence, in order to establish structure-property relationships useful for the optimization of the preparation method. These squaraine dyes are insoluble in water and suffer a severe decrease of quantum yield if derivatized with polar groups. The role of the hydrophilicity of the dye-APTS adduct in ruling its dispersion in the nascent silica matrix
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