A study on the photophysical properties of anthracene in zeolite

The photophysical behaviours of anthracene in zeolite Y were investigated using various steady state spectroscopic methods and a picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic technique. A ¹²⁹Xe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study shows that anthracene molecules can be optimally intercalated into the supercages of Na⁺- and Cu²⁺-exchanged zeolite Y at 570 and 520 K respectively. Anthracene introduced into the supercage of Na⁺-exchanged zeolite Y shows excimeric fluorescence with a lifetime of several nanoseconds, as well as monomeric fluorescence with a lifetime of 300 ps. The excimer forms immediately on absorption of a photon. Cu²⁺-exchanged zeolite Y with anthracene intercalation shows electron spin resonance (ESR) signals and absorption bands attributable to the stable, ground state anthracene cation radical, the Cu⁺ ion and the trapped electron in the copper ion cluster, indicating charge transfer from anthracene to the Cu²⁺ ion or copper ion cluster. The excitation energy of anthracene is quenched rapidly by the presence of copper ion.