Spectrophotometric Studies on the Aggregation of Some Acid Dyes

The electronic absorption spectra of different acid dyes, mainly C. I. Acid Red 13, 18, 27, 88 and 141, have been investigated in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. As the concentration of the dye increases the absorption spectrum shifts to shorter wavelengths; this behaviour has been attributed to the formation of higher aggregates. The longer wavelength band, most marked in dilute solutions, is typical of the monomeric dye. The aggregation of these dyes were studied quantitatively using the Maximum Slope Method. The monosulfonic acid dyes Red 141 and 88 and the disulfonic acid dye 13 are aggregated at room temperature with an average aggregation number of 2.0, 2.2 and 1.5, respectively. The trisulfonic acid dyes Red 18 and 27 show very little aggregation at this temperature.