Impact of solvent ratio on diphenyl oxalate chemiluminescence

Abstract

This research studied the effect of solvent ratio on chemiluminescence widely applied in glow sticks using dichloromethane and ethyl acetate as solvents. The fluorescent solution, as a mixture of diphenyl oxalate solvent and fluorescent dye rhodamine B, was stimulated by a 405 nanometre laser for fluorescent spectrum measurement before the chemiluminescence experiment. The fluorescent solution concentration and solvent ratio were varied. For the chemiluminescence experiment, diphenyl oxalate was dissolved in the solvents and combined with rhodamine B that interacted with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and acetonitrile, resulting in chemiluminescence. The duration and intensity of light were measured by a photodiode detector. Results revealed that the concentration and solvent ratio of the fluorescent solution impacted the fluorescent spectrum due to opacity and solubility. Increasing ethyl acetate and decreasing dichloromethane gave a longer duration of light. The intensity of light in some ratios alternated high and low. Light emitted for a long time at high intensity is suitable for applications. Solvent ratios at 3:7 and 5:5 (1:1) gave better results than the other samples.