Confining Fluorescence Detection for Distinguishable Visualization of Multivariate Nanoparticles: Implications for Design and Controllable Preparation of Nanocomposites

Abstract

The development of multivariate nanoreinforced composites requires available distinguishable visualization approaches to reveal structure–activity relationships. Here, a confined fluorescent detection strategy is employed to cleverly avoid the adverse interference of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), enabling the distinguishable visualization of multivariate nanoparticles in composites. The strategy relies on rational design and successful synthesis of multivariate nanoparticles with a distinct fluorescent probe labeled, namely, f-SiO2, f-MWCNTs, and f-GO. Thus, the large-scale 3D dispersion of multivariate nanoparticles was visualized by confining detection of non-overlapping fluorescence emission signals and subsequently was quantitatively analyzed through theoretical calculation. Moreover, the emergence of pseudo-color fluorescent dots suggested that the multivariate nanoparticles constructed a micro-interpenetrating structure that encouraged the dispersion of themselves. This conclusion had been supported by both microstructure characterization and macromechanical performance. It was demonstrated that the proposed distinguishable visualization method opened viable opportunities and inspirations for the design and controllable preparation of nanocomposites.