Fluorescent Hydroxyflavone–Zeolite Nanoparticles: Ship‐in‐a‐Bottle Synthesis and Photophysical Properties

Abstract

3‐Hydroxyflavone (3‐OHF) was incorporated in zeolite micropores by ship‐in‐a‐bottle synthesis. This strategy consists of constructing the molecule by reaction of small precursors within the cavity. 3‐OHF molecules exhibit excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and a tautomeric equilibrium between the 3‐OHF‐excited structures N* and T*exists. This equilibrium is strongly affected by the protic nature and polarity of the surrounding medium. The textural and spectroscopic characterization of the dye‐loaded zeolite colloids enabled the study of the correlation between the optical properties of the dye and the zeolite micropore environment.