Photoluminescent core-shell particles of organic dye in silica

Using a single silica precursor, Rhodamine 6G organic dye molecules have been entrapped in silica particles resulting into core-shell particles of ∼500 nm diameter. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals that dye molecules are trapped inside the silica particles. Photoluminescence investigations show that highly luminescent and photostable core-shell particles are formed. Such core-shell particles can be easily suspended in water and would be useful for a variety of applications. However, there is a blue shift in the photoluminescence wavelength in case of core-shell particles compared to bare dye powder sample.