One – and Two-Step Resonance Energy Transfer Between Cyanine Dyes in Layered Silicates Colloidal Systems

Resonance energy transfer (RET) is of high interest for both the basic research and practical applications. It is a phenomenon of radiationless transmission of energy between donor and acceptor molecules. In this study single- and two-step (RET) was investigated between cyanine dye cations (NK1, NK2, NK3) in colloids of layered silicate, synthetic Sumecton saponite. In these systems the dye molecules played role of the energy donors (NK1) or energy acceptors (NK2, NK3) or both (NK2). The adsorption and formation of various types of dye species was studied using visible spectroscopy. The absorption spectroscopy did not detect any significant molecular aggregation of the dyes at the surface of saponite particles. The RET process was described by fluorescence spectroscopy. Both the single- and two-step RET were detected in saponite dispersion. Effects of various parameters on the efficiency of the RET process, such as dye concentrations, saponite properties the distances between co-adsorbed dye cations were found to be essential.