Characterization and photophysical behavior of phthalocyanines when grafted onto silica nanoparticles

This work reports on the functionalization of silica nanoparticles with zinc phthalocyanine complexes tetra-substituted non-peripherally with 4-carboxyphenoxyl and 3-carboxyphenoxyl groups. The phthalocyanine dyes have a free carboxyl group, facilitating the covalent attachment of the dyes on the silica surface via amide bond formation. The phthalocyanine functionalized silica nanoparticles showed higher fluorescence and triplet quantum yields as well as longer triplet lifetimes compared to the free phthalocyanines.

Silica nanoparticles are functionalized with zinc phthalocyanine complexes containing a free carboxyl group which facilitates the covalent attachment of the phthalocyanines on the silica surface via amide bond formation. The phthalocyanine functionalized silica nanoparticles showed higher fluorescence and triplet quantum yields as well as longer triplet lifetimes compared to the free phthalocyanine.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide