Fluorescence Quantum Yields and Lifetimes of Aqueous Natural Dye Extracted from Tradescantia pallida purpurea at Different Hydrogen Potentials

Abstract

In this work, we monitored the fluorescence quantum efficiency (η) and the fluorescence lifetime (τ) of natural dye extracts from the leaves of Tradescantia pallida purpurea. The natural dye was extracted from leaves in aqueous solutions as a function of the potential of hydrogen (pH). The η was determined from conical diffraction (CD) pattern measurements due to thermally-driven self-phase modulation. The fluorescence spectra and time-resolved fluorescence measurements corroborate the CD results, and the average η » 0.28 and τ » 3.1 ns values were obtained in the pH range 3.96–8.02. In addition, the extracted natural dye was tested as a possible colorimetric and/or fluorometric pH indicator in milk.