Conventional fluorescence spectrometry of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in Shpol'skii matrices at 77 K.

A simple fluorimeter assembled from commercial components and its use for the study and application of the Shpol'skii effect on polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in n-alkane matrices at 77 K are described. The correlation between the dimensions and geometries of PAHs and their corresponding Shpol'skii solvents is considered. Analytical figures of merit have been evaluated, and the power of the Shpol'skii technique with a conventional fluorimeter in the direct qualitative and quantitative determination of 11 PAHs in mixture is demonstrated. Comparisons with conventional room-temperature fluorescence and laser-excited Shpol'skii spectrometry are also commented upon.