Anomalous Surfactant-Induced Enhancement of Luminescence Quantum Yield of Cyanine Dye J-Aggregates

Abstract

Formation of the “J-aggregate-surfactant” complex for three cyanine dyes (L-21, LC-1 and PIC) in binary solutions containing cationic surfactant CPB at the concentration higher than the critical micelle concentration has been observed. The complex formation causes a significant increase of J-aggregate luminescence quantum yield and a decrease of radiative lifetime. The model of exciton self-trapping suppression in the “J-aggregate-surfactant” complex that causes changes of luminescence parameters has been proposed.