An improved method for determining triboluminescence spectra

Intensified diode array detectors were used to obtain triboluminescence spectra. For sucrose, uranyl nitrate and triethylammonium tetrakis(dibenzoylmethide)europate, the signal-to-noise ratios of the spectra were one to three orders of magnitude better than those previously reported. The triboluminescence spectra of menthol and 9-anthrylmethanol were determined for the first time. The triboluminescence spectra of menthol and sucrose have intensities which correspond quite well to that of the nitrogen discharge, indicating that charge separation rather than a radiationaless transition is responsible for the triboluminescence in these compounds.