What are the differences between a fluorophore and a chromophore?

Fluorophores and chromophores are chemical substances that are responsible for various visible effects in compounds. A look at the salient features of fluorophores and chromophores offers a clear indication of the differences between the two.

Fluorophore

• Is a fluorescent chemical compound capable of re-emitting light upon light excitation
• Absorbs light energy of a certain wavelength and re-emits the energy as a longer wavelength.
• Capable of absorbing light ranging from UV to blue light
• Capable of emitting light in higher wavelengths
• Capable of emitting high energy
• The exciting and emitting wavelengths overlap
• Responsible for the fluorescent property of a molecule
• Emission is temperature-dependent
• Types include intrinsic fluorophores, which occur naturally in a sample, and extrinsic fluorophores, which are manually added to a sample to change the sample’s spectral properties
• Main applications include as a dye or staining agent, as a tracer in fluids, and as a substrate for enzymes.

Chromophore

• Is part of a molecule that is responsible for giving the molecule its color
• Capable of absorbing light from UV to the visible region
• Capable of emitting light in the visible range
• The exciting and emitting wavelengths do not overlap
• Capable of emitting low energy
• Responsible for giving a molecule its specific color
• Emission is not temperature-dependent
• Types include metal complex and conjugated π bond system chromophores
• Main applications include food colorings, fabric dyes, and pH indicators.