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Abstract: Fluorescent dyes in solid matrices have many potential applications provided that their high optical efficiencies are achieved. We present here gold nanoparticles formed and incorporated together with fluorescent dye Rhodamine B into a film of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The increase of fluorescence of the dye results from its interaction with surface plasmons. The electric charge on the gold nanoparticles and the distance between them and the dye molecules has a significant effect on the fluorescence intensity. Fluorescence enhancement of 74% was achieved for the negatively charged particles. Dynamic measurements reveal decrease of fluorescent lifetimes of the dye in presence of gold nanoparticles. Our findings enable utilization of films with enhanced fluorescence in optical materials such as luminescence solar concentrators, solid state tunable laser and active waveguides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Organic-inorganic glasses (ormocers) incorporated by fluorescent dyes absorbing in the solar spectrum are important as new materials for luminescent solar concentrators. We present here how the fluorescence efficiencies of the new fluorescent ormocers can be enhanced by additions of noble metal-silver nanoparticles (NPs). The preparation of the ormocer and various size silver NPs is described. The film of hybrid inorganic-organic matrix consists of silica, diurethane-siloxane, and polyvinyl-butyral matches optically to the glass substrate. The film has high-mechanical stability, and is photostable and atmosphere-resistant. The fluorescence of the system doped by a model dye Rhodamine-123, without and with presence of the silver NPs, was measured. The increase of the luminescence intensity was observed and attributed to the interaction of the excited levels of the dyes with silver plasmons. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Copper nanoparticles increase the fluorescence in doped glasses. [•] Increase the emission of Rh B is result of its interaction with Cu NPs surface plasmons. [•] Optimal distances would be increase of fluorescence by orders of magnitude. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]