Control of C.I. Basic Violet 10 aggregation in aqueous solution by the use of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)

The aggregation behavior of C.I. Basic Violet 10 in the presence of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) was modified, as a consequence of short-range interactions. In aqueous acidic media, the cationic dye forms hydrophobic ion pairs with polymeric benzene sulfonate groups which tend to aggregate in H-contacts, this tendency being readily influenced by the relative concentration of the macromolecule with respect to that of the dye. In the case of dilute aqueous dye solutions (≤10^-4 M), for which the probability of dye self-aggregation is small, C.I. Basic Violet 10 self-contacts are forced in the presence of a moderate excess of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate). At dye concentrations >10^-4 M, for which the probability of dye self-aggregation increases, dye-dye contacts are minimized in the presence of a large excess of the polymer. Hence, the luminescence of dye solutions can be tuned insorar as, that of dilute dye solutions is quenched whilst that of concentrated dye solutions can be enhanced. This behavior was not observed for other polyelectrolytes such as poly(sodium vinylsulfonate), or the more hydrophobic poly(sodium 2-(N-acrylamido)-2-methyl-propanesulfonate).