Solid-matrix luminescence of heterocyclic aromatic amines in several new sugar-glass systems

Several new sugar glasses were investigated for their potential in solid-matrix luminescence. Both solid-matrix fluorescence (SMF) and solid-matrix phosphorescence (SMP) properties were obtained, and two heterocyclic aromatic amines were employed as model compounds. In addition to glucose glasses, which were investigated previously, fructose, ribose, xylose, galactose, maltose, and glucose with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were studied. Detailed experimental conditions were obtained for each sugar-glass system. In addition, NaI was investigated as a heavy-atom salt in the sugar-glass systems to enhance the SMP of the heterocyclic aromatic amines. The SMF intensity was the strongest in maltose and glucose with PAA for 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and in maltose for 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC). The largest SMP signals for PhIP with and without NaI were acquired in glucose with PAA. For AαC with NaI, the strongest SMP signal was obtained in maltose. Limits of detection were obtained for PhIP in the several sugar-glass systems, and the lowest limit of detection was 0.04 pmol/mg of PhIP in maltose with NaI present. An extensive study was carried out using both SMF and SMP to determine if neutral and/or protonated species of PhIP and AαC were in the sugar-glass systems. General guidelines such as glass transition temperature and solubility are discussed for selecting a sugar glass as a solid matrix.