Enhanced Photoluminescence by Tyrosine-Containing Bolaamphiphile Self-Assembly

Abstract

Photoluminescent spherical nanostructures were prepared through the self-assembly of a tyrosine-containing bolaamphiphilic molecule, and their antenna effect was examined. The photoluminescent spherical nanostructures were simply prepared by self-assembly of bolaamphiphile molecules in an aqueous solution in which water-soluble photosensitizers and lanthanide ions were dissolved. The photosensitizers and lanthanide cations were incorporated with the phenol group and the carboxyl end of the tyrosine moiety, respectively. Through fluorescence microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy analyses, the various combinations of two lanthanide ions (Eu and Tb) and four photosensitizers were screened for synergetic photoluminescence with bolaamphiphile self-assembly. The bolaamphiphile assembly enhanced the photoluminescence intensity by a factor of around 2 when it was associated with Tb and salicylic acid. This enhancement is driven by the phosphorescence enhancement of the photosensitizer induced by the π-π interactions with the phenol group in tyrosine. These results indicate that the tyrosine-containing bolaamphiphile is a promising molecule that can easily produce a soft nanoscaled host matrix with an antenna effect for photoluminescence.

Evaluation of photoluminescence quenching for assessing the binding of nitroaromatic compounds to a tyrosyl bolaamphiphile self-assembly

“…20 Synthesis and self-assembly of the tyrosyl bolaamphiphile molecule (Tyr-C7) were performed according to previously reported protocols. 11 Briefly, the Tyr-C7 molecule was synthesized by conjugating tyrosine benzylester with azelaic acid through a carbodiimide conjugation. The photoluminescent self- 25 assembly suspension was produced by dissolving the prepared tyrosyl bolaamphiphile at a concentration of 2 mg/ml in an aqueous solution containing photosensitizer and lanthanide ion (Fig.…”

“…S1), which can be used as a photoluminescent probe. 11 Since these photoluminescent probes are easily prepared and dispersed in water, and have surface-exposed tyrosine phenolic groups, they are well suited for the evaluation of molecular interactions through fluorescence quenching. 60 In the present work, the effect of molecular structures of nitroaromatic compounds on photoluminescence quenching was investigated using a photoluminescent bolaamphiphile selfassembly as a photoluminescent probe.…”

Photoinduced Intermolecular Electron Transfer Mediated by the Colloidal Tyrosyl Bolaamphiphile Assembly

“…Aside from the tyrosine–photosensitizer conjugates, a tyrosine‐rich solid matrix is a promising platform for the preparation of a PSII mimetic system. We recently reported that tyrosyl bolaamphiphile assembly (TyrBA) could yield a proteinaceous nanoscale solid matrix with the exposure of densely packed tyrosine phenol groups on the surface . TyrBA displayed biochemical activities of the tyrosine phenol groups and exhibited outstanding mechanical strength that originated from intermolecular interactions, such as hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds.…”

“…We recently reported that tyrosyl bolaamphiphile assembly (TyrBA) could yield ap roteinaceous nanoscale solid matrixw ith the exposure of densely packed tyrosine phenol groups on the surface. [17,18] TyrBA displayed bio-…”

Interface Thermodynamic State-Induced High-Performance Memristors

“…16 Also, the selfassembly technique had been found to be quite useful for improved device performances. For example, improvements in RS characteristics and enhancements in photoluminescence properties using self-assembled gold−peptide nanofiber nanostructures 19 and spherical bolaamphiphiles 20 were recently reported.…”