Effect of gold nanoparticles shape and size on the photophysicochemical behaviour of symmetric and asymmetric zinc phthalocyanines

Glutathione (GSH) capped Au nanotriangles (AuNTs-GSH) and nanospheres (AuNSs-GSH) are covalently linked to symmetric Zn phthalocyanine (ZnPc) substituted with phenoxy propanoic acid substituents only (complex 1) and two asymmetric ZnPc, each containing one phenoxy propanoic acid and three benzothiazole phenoxy moieties (complex 2), and one phenoxy propanoic acid and no other ligands (complex 3). The photophysicochemical behaviour of Pc complexes and their conjugates were studied. All conjugates displayed improved triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields with decreases in fluorescence quantum yields compared to their respective Pc complexes. The conjugates of asymmetric complexes 2 and 3, afforded much higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields compared to the symmetric complex 1, and could serve as good candidates for photodynamic therapy.