title: Single molecule spectroscopy as a probe for dye-polymer interactions.
abstract: Experimental (Single Molecule Spectroscopy) and theoretical (quantum-chemical calculations and Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations) techniques are combined to investigate the behavior and dynamics of a polymer-dye molecule system. It is shown that the dye molecule of interest (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindo-dicarbocyanine) adopts two classes of conformations, namely planar and nonplanar ones, when embedded in a poly(styrene) matrix. From an in-depth analysis of the fluorescence lifetime trajectories, the planar conformers can be further classified according to the way their alkyl side chains interact with the surrounding poly(styrene) chains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. renaud.vallee@chem.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Renaud A L
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vallée
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marsal
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Braeken
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Habuchi
authors.forename: Frans C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: De Schryver
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van der Auweraer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beljonne
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hofkens