New nanohybrid materials for biophotonics

Hybrid nanomaterials were prepared by one- and two-step procedures in the absence of water. Femtosecond laser ablation of a ZnO target in absolute ethanol afforded a colloidal ZnO solution. Dye molecules were grafted onto the ZnO nanoparticle surface by mixing the ZnO solution with an ethanol solution of tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate or rhodamine B. Formation of strongly facetted nanohybrid particles with the average size of 21 nm was observed by HRTEM measurements. Ablation of ZnO in the presence of the dyes afforded nanohybrids with the average size of 12 nm. The occurrence of energy transfer from the ZnO nanoparticles towards the attached dye molecules was demonstrated by photoluminescence spectroscopy of the nanohybrids after single and multi-photon excitations. In particular, two-photon absorption of the nanohybrids ZnO core gave rise to emission of the grafted dyes.