Visual observation and characterization of fluorescent poly(amido amine) dendrimer in film state.

The fluorescent property of PAMAM dendrimers were examined at film state rather than in solution. The O2-treated PAMAM dendrimer displayed strong blue fluorescence due to its conservation of luminance in the film state and diminished its intensity with degas. The fluorescent property of PAMAM dendrimers was utilized as a fluorescent probe on functional patterned substrates for visual observation by a fluorescence microscope. G4 and G4.5 PAMAM dendrimers having peripheral groups of functional amine and carboxylate, respectively, were adsorbed selectively by electrostatic interactions on patterned carboxylic acid and amine terminated surfaces, respectively resulting in strong fluorescent patterns. This suggests the possible application of fluorescent PAMAM dendrimers as a fluorophor for the visualizable reactions. It was confirmed from an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy that O2 molecules interact with tertiary amine moiety in PAMAM dendrimers but not amide group. These results give us an important support for the principle of fluorescence phenomenon.