Lightfastness, phototendering and fluorescence of 3-methoxybenzanthrone

Studies have been made of the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, the photostability and the phototendering behaviour of 3-methoxybenzanthrone in nylon 6,6 and in polyester to determine the nature of the primary process responsible for nylon phototendering. The results indicate that in a polar environment such as nylon 6,6 there is an increased probability of dye-substrate interaction. The results of a study of the fluorescence quenching by amines of varying ionisation potential indicates that the primary process responsible for nylon phototendering may be one of electron abstraction from the substrate.