Characterization of select organic analytes in reverse micelles using lanthanide counterions as acceptors

Abstract

A significant enhancement of sensitized room-temperature luminescence has been demonstrated using synthesized surfactants containing the lanthanide counterions Tb(III) and Eu(III). Various organic analytes have been used as sensitizers to donate triplet-state energy to the 4f energy level of the lanthanide ion. The enhancement factors were obtained by use of luminescence measurements of lanthanide ions in reverse micellar systems with organic analytes solubilized in the aqueous core. The results are used, with other luminescence parameters, to correlate the interaction between the donor and acceptor motecules. Proton (1H) NMR spectroscopy has provided evidence that organic analytes are solubilized at the polar end of the reverse micelles.