Disruption of aggregates of a Zn2+-complex of a schiff base in water by surfactants: Insights from fluorescence spectroscopy in ensemble and single molecule levels

Schiff bases and their metal ion complexes have potential biological applications. It is important to study their interactions with biomimemtic assemblies in order to design such applications. To this effect, the nature and interaction between the aggregates of an organic fluorophore (Znsalampy) and surfactants viz. sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) have been monitored using bulk macroscopic techniques like steady state and time resolved fluo-rescence as well as single molecule techniques like Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS). The presence of more than one kind of aggregates is observed in neat aqueous solutions is confirmed by the complementary techniques. The more rigid aggregates are found to be less prone to disruption by surfactants. SDS is found to be significantly more effective than CTAB in breaking the aggregates of Znsalampy.