Solid-Matrix Luminescence from Trace Organic Compounds in Glasses Prepared from Sugars

Abstract

A new kind of solid matrix, glasses from sugars, was developed for trace organic analysis. Clear glasses of glucose and trehalose were prepared by evaporating the sugar solutions onto solid supports. It was determined that the ratio of methanol to water was very important in forming a clear glass. Also, glasses made from pure trehalose often cracked. However, with the addition of 8–10% NaCl to the trehalose, no cracks were formed. Clear and rigid glasses of both glucose and trehalose/NaCl were obtained on quartz plates. Strong room-temperature fluorescence (RTF) and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) were obtained from benzo[ f]quinoline (B[ f]Q), 4-phenylphenol (4-PP), (tetrol I-1), triphenylene, and phenanthrene. The limits of detection (LODs) of both the RTF and RTP for 4-PP and B[ f]Q in the glasses were in the subnanogram milligram range.