On the fluorescence of luminol in a silver nanoparticles complex.

The photophysical properties of luminol in a silver nanoparticles complex have been studied by steady-state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of the serum albumin on the luminol fluorescence in the silver nanoparticles has been also investigated. It was found that the fluorescence quantum yield value of luminol in a silver nanoparticles complex is φ = 0.00407. The decrease of the average fluorescence lifetime value of the luminol in the silver nanoparticles complex was found to be low, <τ> = 1.712 ns. The luminol does not bind to the serum albumins in the presence of silver nanoparticles. The formation of a new species of luminol on silver nanoparticles is discussed. The results have influence regarding the use of luminol as an assay for bio-analytical applications.