Of MOFs and MEF: Unlocking New Strategies for Fluorescence Enhancement
Nov 15, 2024
2:30PM to 3:30PM
Date/Time
Date(s) - 15/11/2024
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Categories
Prof. Stefania Impellizzeri
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University
The synergistic integration of materials with organic fluorophores enables the development of innovative luminescent systems that would not otherwise be accessible through their separate organic and inorganic components alone. For instance, the encapsulation of dyes in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can lead to the creation of emissive nanocomposites in which the guest probe is bestowed with outstanding photophysical properties such as high photostability, quantum yield, and lifetime. Meanwhile, this design provides a convenient solution to issues related to the low biocompatibility of the fluorophore, its scarce solubility in water, or aggregation-induced quenching without complicating the synthesis.
On the other hand, the interaction of organic emitters (or luminescent nanoparticles) with metallic nanostructures (such as gold or silver nanoparticles) can modify emission in ways not seen in classical fluorescence, resulting in an increased rate of excitation as well as a higher radiative decay rate of nearby fluorophores, in accordance with the principles of metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF). In this context, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy can provide unique insights into the MEF mechanism which are hidden by ensemble-averaged measurements, demonstrating that the blending between classic spectroscopic techniques and single-molecule methods can bring remarkable advantages for quantitatively characterizing particle-molecule interactions and optimize research design and output. This knowledge and methodology can be used to tailor MEF to meet the needs of different applications, such as those requiring maximum enhancement of fluorescence intensity or instead prioritizing excited-state photochemistry.
Speaker bio:
Dr. Stefania Impellizzeri (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology and the Jet Ice Research Chair in Sustainable Materials Chemistry at Toronto Metropolitan University. She received a Laurea in Chemistry from the University of Bologna, Italy, under the supervision of Alberto Credi and Vincenzo Balzani and in collaboration with 2016 Nobel Prize recipient Sir Fraser Stoddart. She obtained a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Miami with Françisco Raymo and later joined the organic photochemist Juan (Tito) Scaiano group at the University of Ottawa.
Her expertise ranges from organic synthesis to photo– and physical chemistry, materials chemistry and catalysis. Since establishing her independent research group in 2018, her work has been supported by $4M+ in external funding from NSERC and industry sources. Among the awards and recognitions obtained, the Royal Society of Chemistry awarded her the Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics Emerging Investigator Lectureship for Outstanding Emerging Scientist (2021), which recognizes emerging scientists making outstanding contributions to physical chemistry, chemical physics or biophysical chemistry. She is a Member of the Board of Directors of the CNC-IUPAC (Canadian National Committee for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) and NanoOntario, the leading Ontario not-for-profit organization that groups academia, industry, and government for nanotechnology developments. Impellizzeri also leads an industry research program centred on nanotechnology-based approaches to improve the environmental impact of the ice-making industry products and practices, aimed at improving the quality of the sports played on ice as much as the environmental impact of them and addressing persisting sustainability issues. Together with ice industry leaders, she is establishing a scientific approach toward ‘greener ice’ for evidence-based processes, policies, and standards to be adopted by industry members, municipalities, clubs, and sports associations.
In addition to her scientific achievements, Dr. Impellizzeri is recognized as an expert in equity, diversity, and inclusion in chemistry (and science more broadly), with a focus on inclusive mentorship. and excellence. She currently sits on the Canadian Society of Chemistry’s Working Group on EDI (WIDE), has been recently appointed as Dimensions* Faculty Lead for TMU Faculty of Science and regularly speaks on the topic at IUPAC events, Canadian Chemistry Conferences, and invited university seminars.
In-Person: ABB 102
Online: https://mcmaster.zoom.us/j/93018215952
Meeting ID: 930 1821 5952
Passcode: 432278