Fabrication and luminescent properties of silver nanoparticles passivated by fullerodendrons

Spherical silver nanoparticles (diameter: 7-10 nm) were fabricated through passivation by fullerodendrons (C₆₀(Gn-COOK) (n = 0.5, 1.5, 2.5)), which were synthesized from fullerene and anthracenyl focal poly(amido amine) dendrons with carboxylate terminals and different generations (G). The resultant nanocomposites presented unique luminescence, which was contributed by not only anthracenyl moiety but also poly(amido amine) dendron moiety, although the latter has no traditional fluorophore. Furthermore, fluorescence of C ₆₀(G2.5-COOK) was quenched by the silver nanoparticles, indicating that the excitation energy transferred to silver particles.