Derivative fluorimetry analysis of new cluster structures formed by ethanol and Water molecules

The ultraviolet (UV) light excited fluorescence spectra of ethanol-water mixture with different concentra-tions are investigated by derivative fluorimetry. It is found that there are 8 types of luminescent cluster molecules, formed by ethanol and water molecules in different ways, existing in the solution. The peak wavelengths of all these clusters' fluorescence spectra are measured and their contents are obtained by measuring the peak values in the second derivative fluorescence spectra. The spectra corresponding to the 8 types of clusters are obtained by Gaussian decomposition. It is found that two kinds of cluster molecules whose peak wavelengths are 330 and 345 nm have an optimal excitation wavelength located at (236±3) nm. This research contributes to the study of ethanol-water cluster structures and their physical and chemical characteristics.