Unique solvatochromism of cyanine/saponite hybrid systems

Abstract The present study is primarily focused on the investigation of spectral properties of cationic cyanine dye (1,1′-diethyl-4, 4′-carbocyanine iodide, denoted as “NK5”) adsorbed into the structure of synthetic clay mineral (Sumecton SA, denoted as “SUM”) as a host matrix. The hybrid systems were investigated by means of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Beside the solvent effect, the influence of dye/saponite ratio on the formation of specific dye species was studied in detail. It was found that used solvents have greatly affected the spectral properties of prepared hybrids. The NK5/saponite systems in ethanol and methanol were dominated by isolated dye cations. In the NK5/saponite systems in acetone and acetonitrile, the formation of higher aggregates was significantly suppressed. Moreover, the fluorescence spectra showed evidence of the formation of highly fluorescent J -aggregates. Finally, the fluorescence quantum yields of the NK5/saponite systems in various solvents were calculated. It was found that polar protic solvents as ethanol and methanol could stabilize the hybrid cyanine/saponite system with higher quantum yields as in case of used aprotic solvents.