Abstract
A study has been carried out on the surfactochromicity of four new highly lipophilic poly(phenylenevinylene) (PPV) chromophores. Micellar encapsulation by a detergent such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) imparts solubility to these compounds in aqueous solution. Before the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was reached the emission intensity of the chromophores increased significantly with the concentration of CTAB. After reaching the CMC, the quantum yield tended to stabilize. Concentrations of PPV up to 100 μM could be encapsulated without any evidence of saturation or modification of the CMC value of the surfactant. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments demonstrated that aggregation of the molecules occurred and this led to a highly efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) when different chromophores were encapsulated within the micelle. This situation was not observed in organic solutions at similar concentrations in the absence of CTAB. The detergent shielding also prevented protonation of amine derivatives 3 and 4 in acidic media. These mixed surfactant/fluorophore systems not only maintained but also improved the already good emission properties of PPVs 1–4 in the solid state. This behavior makes these systems suitable for applications such as 3D printing due to their compatibility with alcoholic and/or aqueous solvents.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
