Efficient energy transfer between amphiphilic dendrimers with oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) core branches and oligo(ethylene oxide) termini in micelles

Abstract

The efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between amphiphilic dendrimers with oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) core branches and oligo(ethylene oxide) termini have been observed in micelles. All dendrimers show the critical micelle concentration and lower critical solution temperature as well as fluorescent emission. Tailoring electronic structures of the conjugated amphiphiles for FRET have been conveniently achieved by varying the branch number and/or the conjugated core structure. The Stern-Volmer constants (KSV) for FRET were found to be 4.51 x 10-5 and 8.78 x 10-5 M for Den 3040 and Den 5040, respectively. The effects external stimuli such as solvent and temperature on FRET have been also investigated.