Edge excitation red shift and charge transfer study of 6-methoxyquinoline in polymer matrices

Excitation wavelength dependence of the emission of 6-methoxyquinoline (6MQ) in three polymer matrices, viz. polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose acetate (CA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been investigated at room temperature. 6MQ in polymer matrices exhibits dual emission and the fluorescence decays show a non-exponential behaviour throughout the emission profile. The results are interpreted in terms of two groups (normal and charge transfer species) of ground state conformers that assume different geometries in the polymer matrices. The inhomogeneous distribution of species, each possessing different absorption and relaxation properties is manifested by red edge excitation effects and distribution of decay time across the emission profile.