Influence of micellar interface on molecular ionization potentials: a tunable laser spectroscopy study of photoionization of pyrene

We report the first direct study of the threshold for photonionization of an aromatic molecule, pyrene, located in the interfacial region of an anionic micelle. Using the techniques of time-resolved, tunable laser spectroscopy, we show that the mechanism for two-photon photoionization is the same as...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical physics 1980, Vol.49 (2), p.279-287
Main Authors: Wallace, S.C., Hall, G.E., Kenney-Wallace, G.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We report the first direct study of the threshold for photonionization of an aromatic molecule, pyrene, located in the interfacial region of an anionic micelle. Using the techniques of time-resolved, tunable laser spectroscopy, we show that the mechanism for two-photon photoionization is the same as that for pyrene in methanol, but that the apparent ionization threshold is significantly lower. The results are discussed in terms of the several dynamical factors which influence ionization probabilities of impurity molecules in condensed media. A mechanism is proposed whereby the electric field gradient at the micellar surface lowers the barrier to formation of ions, analogous to Stark ionization of atomic Rydberg states.
ISSN:0301-0104
DOI:10.1016/0301-0104(80)85265-7