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Properties and transformations of methylene blue nanoparticles
Yurii B Tsaplev1, Vladimir V Maksimenko2, Irina G Plaschina1
1Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Kosygina 4, 119334 Moscow, Russian Federation.
Summary
Methylene blue nanoparticles transform into ion pairs and single ions across different solvent mixtures. Spectral analysis reveals distinct regions based on dimethyl sulfoxide concentration, showing changes in methylene blue forms.
Area of Science:
- Spectroscopy
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Methylene blue (MB) is a versatile dye with applications in various scientific fields.
- Understanding the aggregation state and transformations of MB in different solvent environments is crucial for controlling its properties.
- Solvent mixtures, such as benzene-DMSO and toluene-DMSO, offer tunable environments to study molecular interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation, properties, and transformation of methylene blue (MB) nanoparticles.
- To analyze the behavior of MB in benzene-DMSO and toluene-DMSO solvent mixtures.
- To correlate spectral changes with the aggregation state of MB in response to solvent composition.
Main Methods:
- Absorption spectroscopy
- Fluorescence spectroscopy
- Resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) spectra
Main Results:
- Spectral data distinguished three distinct regions based on DMSO mole fraction.
- Region 1: MB nanoparticles (npMB), ion pairs (MB+, Cl-), and free MB+ ions.
- Region 2: Primarily ion pairs and free MB+ ions.
- Region 3: Exclusively free MB+ ions.
Conclusions:
- The solvent composition significantly influences the aggregation state of methylene blue.
- MB transitions from nanoparticle form to ion pairs and finally to individual ions as DMSO concentration increases.
- Spectral techniques provide a reliable method for characterizing MB speciation in mixed solvents.
