Ozhukil Kollath, VinayarajDerakhshandeh, MaziarMudigonda, ThanmayeeIslam, Muhammad NaoshadTrifkovic, MilanaKaran, KunalMayer, Francis D.2018-10-092018-10-092018-09-13Ozhukil Kollath, V., Derakhshandeh, M., Mayer, F. D., Mudigonda, T., Islam, M. N., Trifkovic, M., & Karan, K. (2018). Fluorescent polycatecholamine nanostructures as a versatile probe for multiphase systems. RSC Advances, 8(56), 31967-31971. doi:10.1039/c8ra05372c2046-2069http://hdl.handle.net/1880/108795Shape and size controlled nanostructures are critical for nanotechnology and have versatile applications in understanding interfacial phenomena of various multi-phase systems. Facile synthesis of fluorescent nanostructures remains a challenge from conventional precursors. In this study, bio-inspired catecholamines, dopamine (DA), epinephrine (EP) and levodopa (LDA), were used as precursors and fluorescent nanostructures were synthesized via a simple one pot method in a water–alcohol mixture under alkaline conditions. DA and EP formed fluorescent spheres and petal shaped structures respectively over a broad spectrum excitation wavelength, whereas LDA did not form any particular structure. However, the polyepinephrine (PEP) micropetals were formed by weaker interactions as compared to covalently linked polydopamine (PDA) nanospheres, as revealed by NMR studies. Application of these fluorescent structures was illustrated by their adsorption behavior at the oil/water interface using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Interestingly, PDA nanospheres showed complete coverage of the oil/water interface despite its hydrophilic nature, as compared to hydrophobic PEP micropetals which showed a transient coverage of the oil/water interface but mainly self-aggregated in the water phase. The reported unique fluorescent organic structures will play a key role in understanding various multi-phase systems used in aerospace, biomedical, electronics and energy applications.enUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.nanotechnologyfluorescenceinterfaceoil in watercolloidmaterialsspectroscopymicroscopyjournal article10.1039/C8RA05372C10.11575/PRISM/35043