Effect of nano-confinement on the photophysics of lumichrome

We have investigated the photophysics of lumichrome in the nano cage of reverse micelles by using UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence emission and picosecond time resolved emission spectroscopy. Different polar solvents were used such as water, methanol, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol and glycerol to form the polar solvents pool of the reverse micelles. We have found that on increasing w value (w = [polar solvent]/[surfactant]), the quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime value gradually increases. Time-resolved area-normalised emission spectra (TRANES) analysis in reverse micelles shows the presence of an isoemissive point which indicates that presence of two emissive species of lumichrome in the reverse micelle.