When a hydrophobic fluorescent dye is mixed with non-fluorescent hydrophobic molecule, they are making complex and instead of quenching the signal of dye is increasing. Any suggestion why ?
Thanks.
One thought is that a complex is forming between the two hydrophobic substances, which shields the fluorophore from quenching by water, increasing its quantum yield.
Another thought is that the supposedly non-fluorescent molecule is fluorescent in the complex for the same reason.
Fluorescent hydrophobic dye may be aggregating in the chosen solvent and this aggregation causes decrease in fluorescence quantum yield leading to decreased fluorescence intensity.
On addition of a hydrophobic non-fluorescent compound to the dye, dye-dye interaction may be prevented leading to lower aggregation and consequently increased fluorescence intensity.
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