Performance Evaluation of Fluorescence and Photostability of Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82 ()
1. Introduction
Fluorescent dyes are used in diverse fields of study such as in biochemical investigations, medical diagnoses, construction of photoelectric cells, lasers and solar batteries [1] [2]. The application of fluorescent dyes to synthetic fibres has gained relevance in textiles regarding aesthetic and functional requirement [3]. These dyes when used on synthetic fibres produce fluorescence under solar and UV radiation. The remarkable brilliant colours resulting from the radiance of emitted fluorescence of fluorescent synthetic fibres textiles have made it attractive for various applications such as safety wear, sportswear, leisure wear and work wear [4] [5]. The major consumption of fluorescent dyes in textiles is for the dyeing synthetic fibres especially polyester. Disperse dyes are most fluorescent among textile dyes and most suitably used on polyesters [1] [6] [7].
The classification of disperse dyes by chromogen is significant for forensic analysts. Azo and anthraquinone disperse dyes are the main classes of disperse dyes in the market with the highest possibility of being subjected to forensic investigations [8]. Coumarin dyes have also gained recognition as one of the greatest commercially significant groups of fluorescent dyes having yellow with a green fluorescence as most commercial products. Fluorescent coumarins absorb and emit mostly in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum [9]. This group of dyes offers important disperse dyes which include C.I. Disperse Reds 277 (5a) and 374 (5b) and C.I. Disperse Yellows 82 (2a), 184 (2d), 186 (3) and 232 (2d). Coumarin dyes produce excellent fluorescent greenish-yellow shades on synthetic fibers, especially polyester. Analysis of fluorescent textile fibers involves measurement of physical and optical properties which includes visual colour matching, UV/visible spectral comparisons and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. These techniques are non-destructive, and effective in discriminating fiber evidence. Various microscopic, spectroscopic and chromatographic methods have also been used to analyse many fluorescence dyes based on their fluorescent characteristics due to their ability to provide substantial information in forensic analyses. Some of these methods include microspectrophotometry [10] [11], Raman spectroscopy [12] [13] [14] infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray, liquid chromatography (HPLC) with different detectors [15] [16] [17] [18] thin liquid chromatography (TLC) [19] and capillary electrophoresis with a DAD or MS detector [20] [21] [22]. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the fluorescent and photostabily property of Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82. In the first step of this study, fluorescent properties such as fluorescent emission, relative strength and percentage reflectance of the dye were assessed. Light fastness test was also evaluated. Finally, photodegradation quantum yield of the dye in methanol, ethanol and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was investigated.
2. Experimental
Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82 used for this study was obtained from Classic Dyestuffs Inc (Figure 1). Spectrophotometric absorption and forensic spectrophotometric tests were recorded. Maximum absorbance was recorded as 430 nm which is typical of yellow dyes. A mirror image of fluorescent emission of dye was obtained (Figure 2). The purity of the dye was checked by HPLC. A distinct sharp peak with a retention times of 16.65 min was observed when the detector was set at 430 nm (Figure 3). Sample solution with different concentrations was prepared (1 - 35 g/L) to evaluate their photodegradation quantum yield. The dye solutions at different concentrations in methanol, ethanol and DMF were faded
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Figure 2. HPLC chromatogram for Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82 dye with a concentration of 35 g/L. Conditions: wavelength = 430 nm, temperature 25˚C ± 2˚C, pH 6.9, mobile phase [acetonitrile:water (80:20, v/v)], flow rate = 0.5 ml/min.
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Figure 3. Absorption and emission spectra of a Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82.
at 300 nm in a six interchangeable light source Rayonett photolytic reactor RPR-100 under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Aerobic conditions were attained by passing dry air or nitrogen through the solutions for 40 min before irradiation at 300 nm. The extent of fading was determined spectrophotometrically using Jenway 7315 Spectrophotometer. The intensity of the photolysis light source was determined using uranyl oxalate actinometer prepared by placing a treated solution of uranyl sulphate with excess oxalic acid in quartz vessel under UV light. The number of quanta absorbed by the system per second was calculated by comparing the amount of oxalate molecules decomposed with the established quantum yields of the decomposition of oxalate molecules per quantum absorbed (Q300 = 0.57). The quantum yield of dye fading was calculated from the number of dye molecules decomposed and the number of quanta absorbed over the same time for the various concentrations. Polyester and polyester/cotton fabrics (60/40) were dyed at varying concentrations to determine their reflectance and light fastness property. Light fastness was measured on a Hanau Xenotest Grey Scale apparatus which correspond to British Standards with a rating of 1 to 5 where rating “5” and “1” describe excellent and very poor respectively. Reflectance values and curves of the dyed fabrics were determined in the visible portion of the spectrum (400 - 700 nm) using a reflectance spectrophotometer (ocean optics USB 2000) with a detector, LS-1 tungsten-Halogen lamp and the standard illuminant was D65 with 10˚ observer. Four measurements were taken for each folded samples and their average was taken for the analysis of each result. The colour strength values (%) of samples were determined in comparison to the deepest dyeing (35 g/L dyed sample) as 100% colour strength by using the following equation:
where K/S is the absorption function and can be computed using the equation:
(Kubelka-Munk equation)
R = minimum reflectance value at a wavelength of maximum absorption.
3. Results
3.1. Reflectance Analysis
Significant relative strength values were measured from the dyed fabrics. The relative strength of dyed polyester fabric samples was however higher than dyed polyester/cotton fabrics with increasing concentration (Figure 4).
The minimum and maximum reflectance of the luminous yellow shade was found at 450 nm and 520 nm respectively from the emission spectra (Figure 5(a), Figure 5(b)) for both dyed fabrics. A wavelength of minimum reflectance of 8.5% - 23% and 8.5% - 26% and maximum reflectance of 117% - 175% and 117% - 142.5% was observed at 450 nm and 520 nm for polyester and polyester/cotton fabric respectively. Dyed polyester fabric samples showed greater reflectance (%) and colour strength than dyed polyester/cotton fabric samples. The higher reflectance and relative strength were possibly due to higher dye fibre interaction between dye and polyester. Disperse dyes are specially formulated non-ionic aromatic hydrophobic compounds and hence exhibit good bonding ability on polyester due to the high crystallinity and hydrophobicity of polyester. The hydrophilic ionic nature of cotton does not make it suitable to be dyed by disperse dyes [23] [24]. Hence interaction between dye and polyester/cotton is minimal.
3.2. Evaluation of Light Fastness of Dyed Samples
Light fastness exceptionally test resulted in strong fading for polyester/cotton fabric at highest concentration. The extent of fading in dyed polyester was however
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Figure 4. Percentage relative strength of Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82 on polyester and polyester/cotton fabric.
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Figure 5. Reflectance curve of Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82 (a) dyed polyester and (b) dyed polyester/cotton.
minimal. From Figure 6, polyester fabrics dyed with lesser dye concentrations (1 - 15 g/L) showed better light fastness value of 4.5. Highest light fastness value of 4 was observed for dyed polyester/cotton fabric with the concentration range of 1 to 10 g/L. Higher fading recorded for dyed polyester/cotton fabrics is possibly due to the inability of the dye to bond to cotton.
3.3. Evaluation of Quantum Yield
The photodegradation of dye in methanol, ethanol and DMF solutions at 300 nm under anaerobic conditions is shown in Figure 7. Methanol and ethanol showed comparable lower dye photodegradation quantum for the various concentrations of dye used compared to that of DMF. The degradation of the Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82 was therefore enhanced in DMF but retarded in methanol and ethanol.
Investigations under aerobic conditions showed that the photostability of Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82 strongly depends on the presence of air (Figure 8). For the various dye concentration after 90 min irradiation in methanol only 8% - 22% degradation was achieved, whereas in the presence of nitrogen, 27% - 38% destruction occurred within 2 hrs. Similar results were obtained for photolysis experiments conducted in ethanol. Dye showed only 9% - 24% degradation
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Figure 6. Light fastness of dyed polyester and polyester/cotton blend.
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Figure 7. Photodegradation quantum yield of dye in methanol, ethanol and DMF at varying concentrations under anaerobic condition.
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Figure 8. Photodegradation quantum yield of dye in methanol, ethanol and DMF at varying concentrations under aerobic condition.
after 90 min irradiation in the presence of air, whereas 2 hrs irradiation in the presence of nitrogen caused some 28% - 40% destruction. The results of photolysis in DMF was higher in comparison with the other two solvents. The presence of air however strongly limited the extent of degradation of the dye concentration. The various dye concentrations when irradiated in DMF under nitrogen atmosphere attained 32% - 45% degradation, whereas the presence of air reduced this to 9% - 25% after 2 hrs irradiation.
An attempt was made to isolate and define the structure of the major photolysis products of the dye under nitrogen using GCMS. Two major identical materials were found among the many degradation products for the various solvent. GCMS analysis revealed that the dye in the various solvents degraded similarly, possibly through abstraction of the heterocyclic residue probably through a reductive process [25]. The presence of peaks characterized by m/z 275 and m/z 246 in GCMS were the two major degradation products of the dye. A difference of the molecular mass of the two major degradation products corresponds to the loss of an ethyl group. Although the photodegradation of the dye in methanol, ethanol and DMF generated the same products, the three solvents may possibly differ in the mechanism of their reduction; two possible photoreduction might be considered. The excited dye molecule may engage in hydrogen abstraction or in electron transfer from the environment, followed by protonation of the radical anion formed. Hydrogen abstraction however dominates, especially under 300 nm irradiation [25] [26] according to the literature.
4. Conclusion
The relative strength, reflectance and light fastness of dyed polyester for the various dye concentration was proven to be better than dyed polyester/cotton. The photodegradation quantum yield of dye in methanol, ethanol and DMF solutions under anaerobic condition showed higher dye photodegradation quantum in DMF for the various concentrations of dye used. Under aerobic condition irradiation under nitrogen atmosphere attained higher degradation whereas the presence of air reduced degradation. In accordance with the estimated degradation quantum yields of the examined dye in methanol, ethanol and DMF it can be concluded that alcohol is slightly better than DMF as a model solvent for the prediction of the photostability of Coumarin Disperse Yellow 82 on polyester.