The development of room temperature phosphorescence into a new technique for chemical determinations : Part 1. Physical Aspects of Room Temperature Phosphorescence

The development and physical aspects of room temperature phosphorescence are reviewed in this first part of a two-part series. Certain fundamental aspects of phosphorescence are presented. The novel phenomenon of room temperature phosphorescence (strong phosphorescence for organic compounds adsorbed on appropriate substrates) is then treated in detail. Specific attention is given to the nature of the support-phosphor interaction and the quenching effects of moisture and oxygen on room temperature phosphorescence. Thorough coverage is also given to the heavy-atom effect. The effects of the sample matrix on certain phosphorescent properties, such as lifetime, intensity and spectral characteristics, are mentioned.