Adsorption of Pyrene at Model Hydrophobic Interfaces

Adsorption behaviour of pyrene was studied at different model interfaces (air/water, air/lipid monolayer, mercury electrode/solution interface and lipid coated electrodes), with the aim to evaluate the most relevant processes influencing the distribution and effects of highly hydrophobic and slightly water soluble organic contaminants in natural aquatic systems. Studies have been performed by absorption, reflection and fluorescence spectroscopy, surface pressure and surface potential measurements and electrochemical methods. It was found that pyrene molecules incorporate into the hydrophobic core of lipid monolayers, thus influencing the charge and mass transfer through monolayers