Effect of polyion conformation on dye binding. IV. Fluorescence of auramine O in relation to its binding to synthetic polyacids

The effect of polymer conformation, polymer concentration, and added salt concentration on the quantum yield ? of Auramine O (AuO) is discussed in connection with dialysis equilibrium data. The quantum yield per bound dye molecule (?/q) assumes different values which are related principally to solvation changes in the environment of the binding sites. Binding to globular compact a states results in high ?/q, whereas low ?/q (of the order of magnitude of ? of free AuO) are observed for the binding to expanded solvated b states. The quantum yield of bound AuO is therefore affected by the organic nature of the environment, but shows little or no relation to the amount of bound dye molecules.