Faculty Sponsor(s)
Elizabeth Atkinson
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Chemistry
Description
Sol-gels can be used as substrates for sensory materials in solutions. A fluorescent dye that binds to DNA, 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), could be used as a biosensor for a solution. Adsorption of DAPI onto silver nanoparticles causes rapid precipitation and loss of DAPI in solution. UV-vis and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) were performed to observe a solution of silver nanoparticles and DAPI. Over time, spectra of the solution greatly diminished and could no longer be accurately observed. To facilitate the stabilization of DAPI in the solution, sol-gels were synthesized via base-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetramethyl orthosilicate while in the DAPI-silver solution. Sol-gels were successfully synthesized and DAPI precipitation was prevented as suggested by UV-vis and SERS.
Recommended Citation
Mason, David and Atkinson, Elizabeth J.O., "Stabilization of DAPI in Base-Catalyzed Sol-Gels Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy" (2017). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 12.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2017/all/12
Stabilization of DAPI in Base-Catalyzed Sol-Gels Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Sol-gels can be used as substrates for sensory materials in solutions. A fluorescent dye that binds to DNA, 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), could be used as a biosensor for a solution. Adsorption of DAPI onto silver nanoparticles causes rapid precipitation and loss of DAPI in solution. UV-vis and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) were performed to observe a solution of silver nanoparticles and DAPI. Over time, spectra of the solution greatly diminished and could no longer be accurately observed. To facilitate the stabilization of DAPI in the solution, sol-gels were synthesized via base-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetramethyl orthosilicate while in the DAPI-silver solution. Sol-gels were successfully synthesized and DAPI precipitation was prevented as suggested by UV-vis and SERS.
