Concentration dependent red shift: Qualitative and quantitative investigation of motor oils by synchronous fluorescence scan

Synchronous fluorescence scan (SFS) has been described as a successful technique to characterize Motor oils like diesel, petrol, kerosene, 2T oil and Mobil. The concentration dependent investigation of Motor oils shows a red shift in λSFS/max. Using red shift of λSFS/max, a method has been developed to quantify Motor oil in the concentration range 5-100% v/v. The concentration dependent overall rate of energy transfer of Motor oil gives a unique behavioral change according to the oil type and SFS is a simpler spectroscopic method to qualitatively differentiate between heavy and light oil. The molecular interaction of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in fluorophoric mixtures like resonance energy transfer and self-quenching via solvent collision has been clearly explained by SFS method. Effect of solvent and external quencher molecule on Motor oils has also been studied. Nitrobenzene is found to be a selective quencher for PACs of Motor oils. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.