SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF PYRENE AT SILICA INTERFACES

The photophysical behavior of molecules adsorbed or covalently bound at interfaces can provide insights into orientation, distribution, and association in the sorbed state. Pyrene has been widely used as a probe in such experiments with varying success. This paper addresses important experimental considerations required to avoid artifacts in the observed spectral properties of sorbed pyrene. The question of monomer, dynamic excimer, ground-state dimer, and crystalline pyrene contributions to total emission is examined for both adsorbed and bound pyrene. © 1990 American Chemical Society.