Excimer Formation of Aryl Iodides Chemisorbed on Gold Nanoparticles for the Significant Enhancement of Photoluminescence.

The photoluminescence properties of aryl iodides chemisorbed on gold nanoparticles were examined. Chemisorption of a series of aryl iodides onto poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-protected Au nanoparticles (Au:PVP) in solution resulted in highly enhanced luminescence. Kinetic studies revealed that the photoluminescence is derived from the excimer formation of aryl iodides on Au:PVP, and the process is significantly faster than intersystem crossing by the heavy atom.