Contrasting emission behavior of phenanthroimidazole with rutile and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles

► New type of phenanthroimidazole derivative has been synthesized. ► TiO2 (R) enhances the fluorescence. ► TiO2 (A) and TiO2 (H) quench the fluorescence. ► Phenanthroimidazole is adsorbed on surface of the nanoparticle.