Bright luminescence from pure DNA-curcumin-based phosphors for bio hybrid light-emitting diodes

Sci Rep. 2016 Aug 30:6:32306. doi: 10.1038/srep32306.

Abstract

Recently, significant advances have occurred in the development of phosphors for bio hybrid light-emitting diodes (Bio-HLEDs), which have created brighter, metal-free, rare-earth phosphor-free, eco-friendly, and cost-competitive features for visible light emission. Here, we demonstrate an original approach using bioinspired phosphors in Bio-HLEDs based on natural deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-curcumin complexes with cetyltrimethylammonium (CTMA) in bio-crystalline form. The curcumin chromophore was bound to the DNA double helix structure as observed using field emission tunnelling electron microscopy (FE-TEM). Efficient luminescence occurred due to tightly bound curcumin chromophore to DNA duplex. Bio-HLED shows low luminous drop rate of 0.0551 s(-1). Moreover, the solid bio-crystals confined the activating bright luminescence with a quantum yield of 62%, thereby overcoming aggregation-induced quenching effect. The results of this study herald the development of commercially viable large-scale hybrid light applications that are environmentally benign.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cetrimonium Compounds / chemistry
  • Crystallization
  • Curcumin / chemistry*
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Lasers, Semiconductor*
  • Light*
  • Luminescence*
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods
  • Microscopy, Electron / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Cetrimonium Compounds
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • DNA
  • Curcumin