White fluorescence from core-shell silica nanoparticles

Encapsulation of a naphthalimide moiety in the core of silica nanoparticles afforded nanospheres with a strong green excimeric emission. Together with the blue emission of the monomeric naphthalimide and the yellow fluorescence of the tetrazine acceptor on the outer shell, the added contributions provide intense white fluorescence upon 330 nm UV excitation.