Photophysical studies of graphene quantum dots - Pyrene-derivatized porphyrins conjugates when encapsulated within Pluronic F127 micelles

- Pyrene-derivatized H2, GaCl, and Zn porphyrins were immobilized on graphene quantum dots (GQDs).
- The conjugates were encapsulated into Pluronic F127 micelles resulting in water solubility.
- Singlet oxygen quantum yields increase in the presence of GQDs.

Pyrene-derivatized H2, GaCl, and Zn porphyrins were immobilized on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to form (GQDs-H2TPrP, GQDs-GaClTPrP, and GQDs-ZnTPrP) conjugates through the π-π stacking interaction method followed by encapsulating into Pluronic F127 micelles to form (GQDs-H2TPrP + F127, GQDs-GaClTPrP + F127, and GQDs-ZnTPrP + F127). Spectroscopic evidence shows that the resultant conjugates were stable due to the strong π-π stacking interaction between the GQDs and the porphyrins. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behaviour of the porphyrins were investigated following incorporation. GQDs-GaClTPrP + F127 showed highest values of the binding constant (Kb). The Stern-Volmer constant (Ksv) for GQDs-ZnTPrP + F127 were the highest compared to other porphyrins derivatives.