Improving singlet oxygen generating abilities of phthalocyanines: aluminum tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine in the presence of graphene quantum dots and folic acid

Glutathione-capped graphene quantum dots (GQDs@GSH) were covalently linked to folic acid (FA). Aluminum tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (ClAlTSPc) was then adsorbed on the GQDs@GSH-FA conjugate to form GQDs@GSH-FA/ClAlTSPc or on GQDs@GSH and pristine GQDs alone to form GQDs@GSH/ClAlTSPc and GQDs/ClAlTSPc, respectively. We report for the first time on the photophysicochemical behavior of the resulting nanoconjugates. The fluorescence quantum yields of pristine GQDs, GQDS@GSH, or GQDs@GSH-FA conjugate were quenched upon non-covalent interaction (π–π) with ClAlTSPc. There was an increase in triplet quantum yields from 0.38 for ClAlTSPc alone to 0.60, 0.75, and 0.73 when ClAlTSPc was linked to pristine GQDs, GQDs@GSH, and GQDs@GSH-FA, respectively. The singlet oxygen quantum yields also increased from 0.37 for ClAlTSPc alone to 0.42 (for ClALTSPc with pristine GQDs), 0.52 (for ClAlTSPc with GQDs@GSH), and 0.54 (for ClAlTSPc with GQDs@GSH-FA). Thus, the present work may lead to a new generation of carbon-based nanomaterial photodynamic therapy agents with overall performance superior to conventional agents in terms of singlet oxygen generation, water dispersibility, and biocompatibility.     

Effects of Substituents on the Electrocatalytic Activity of Cobalt Phthalocyanines when Conjugated to Graphene Quantum Dots

We report on the π–π interactions between graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and the following cobalt phthalocyanine derivatives: cobalt monocarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine (complex 1 ), cobalt tetracarboxyphenoxyphthalocyanine (complex 2 ), and cobalt tetraaminophenoxy phthalocyanine (complex 3 ). The conjugates (conj) with GQDs are represented as 1 @GQDs(conj), 2 @GQDs(conj) and 3 @GQDs(conj), respectively. The resulting phthalocyanine/GQDs conjugates were adsorbed on containing a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using the drop and dry method. We explore the electrochemical properties of phthalocyanines functionalized with both electron withdrawing groups and electron donating groups when non‐covalently linked to the π‐electron rich graphene quantum dots. GCE/ 3, GCE/ 2 @GQDs(conj) and GCE/ 1 @GQDs(conj) had the lowest limits of detection (LOD). Sequentially modified electrodes showed less favourable detection limits compared to the conjugates.     

A comparative physicochemical study of unsymmetrical indium phthalocyanines in the presence of magnetic nanoparticles or quantum dots

Asymmetric indium phthalocyanine (3, containing an NH₂ group) was conjugated (via an amide bond) to magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) functionalized with carboxylic acid or glutathione-capped CdTe/ZnSe/ZnO quantum dots to form 3-MNPs or 3-QDs. Techniques such as time-resolved fluorescence measurements, transmission electron microscopy, XPS, elemental analysis, FTIR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and cozy), electronic spectroscopy, as well as mass spectroscopy were employed to characterize 3 and its nanoconjugates. The phthalocyanine conjugated to quantum dot (3-QDs) possesses the lowest Ф_pd higher Ф_? and Ф_T as well as longer triplet lifetimes compares to 3-MNPs and free phthalocyanine.     

Rational hydrothermal synthesis of graphene quantum dots with optimized luminescent properties for sensing applications

Hydrothermal synthesis using graphene oxide (GO) as a precursor has been used to produce luminescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs). However, such a method usually requires many reagents and multistep pretreatments, while can give rise to GQDs with low quantum yield (QY). Here, we investigated the concentration, the temperature of synthesis, and the pH of the GO solution used in the hydrothermal method through factorial design experiments aiming to optimize the QY of GQDs to reach a better control of their luminescent properties. The best synthesis condition (2 mg/mL, 175 °C, and pH = 8.0) yielded GQDs with a relatively high QY (8.9%) without the need of using laborious steps or dopants. GQDs synthesized under different conditions were characterized to understand the role of each synthesis parameter in the materials' structure and luminescence properties. It was found that the control of the synthesis parameters enables the tailoring of the amount of specific oxygen functionalities onto the surface of the GQDs. By changing the synthesis' conditions, it was possible to prioritize the production of GQDs with more hydroxyl or carboxyl groups, which influence their luminescent properties. The as-developed GQDs with tailored composition were used as luminescent probes to detect Fe³⁺. The lowest limit of detection (0.136 μM) was achieved using GQDs with higher amounts of carboxylic groups, while wider linear range was obtained by GQDs with superior QY. Thus, our findings contribute to rationally produce GQDs with tailored properties for varied applications by simply adjusting the synthesis conditions and suggest a pathway to understand the mechanism of detection of GQDs-based optical sensors.     

Graphene quantum dots from chemistry to applications

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been widely studied in recent years due to its unique structure-related properties, such as optical, electrical and optoelectrical properties. GQDs are considered new kind of quantum dots (QDs), as they are chemically and physically stable because of its intrinsic inert carbon property. Furthermore, GQDs are environmentally friendly due to its non-toxic and biologically inert properties, which have attracted worldwide interests from academic and industry. In this review, a number of GQDs preparation methods, such as hydrothermal method, microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, soft-template method, liquid exfoliation method, metal-catalyzed method and electron beam lithography method etc., are summarized. Their structural, morphological, chemical composition, optical, electrical and optoelectrical properties have been characterized and studied. A variety of elemental dopant, such as nitrogen, sulphur, chlorine, fluorine and potassium etc., have been doped into GQDs to diversify the functions of the material. The control of its size and shape has been realized by means of preparation parameters, such as synthesis temperature, growth time, source concentration and catalyst etc. As far as energy level engineering is concerned, the elemental doping has shown an introduction of energy level in GQDs which may tune the optical, electrical and optoelectrical properties of the GQDs. The applications of GQDs in biological imaging, optoelectrical detectors, solar cells, light emitting diodes, fluorescent agent, photocatalysis, and lithium ion battery are described. GQD composites, having optimized contents and properties, are also discussed to extend the applications of GQDs. Basic physical and chemical parameters of GQDs are summarized by tables in this review, which will provide readers useful information.     

Unilamellar Vesicles from Amphiphilic Graphene Quantum Dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have attracted considerable interest due to their unique physicochemical properties and various applications. For the first time it is shown that GQDs surface‐functionalized with hydrocarbon chains (i.e., amphiphilic GQDs) self‐assemble into unilamellar spherical vesicles in aqueous solution. The amphiphilic GQD vesicles exhibit multicolor luminescence that can be readily exploited for membrane studies by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. The GQD vesicles were used for microscopic analysis of membrane interactions and disruption by the peptide beta‐amyloid.     

Novel gallium(III) phthalocyanine derivatives – Synthesis,photophysics and photochemistry

The syntheses of gallium(III) chloride phthalocyanine {(Cl)GaPc}, octaphenoxyphthalocyaninato gallium(III) chloride {(Cl)GaOPPc} and octakis(4-tert-butylphenoxy)phthalocyaninato gallium(III) chloride {(Cl)GaOTBPPc}; as well as their photophysical and photochemical parameters are hereby presented. Fluorescence quantum yields do not vary much among the three metallophthalocyanines (MPcs); therefore it was concluded that the effect of the substituents is not significant amongst (Cl)GaPc, (Cl)GaOPPc and (Cl)GaOTBPPc. Solvents effects, however, had an effect on the results. Triplet quantum yields were found to be lower in DMSO than in DMF and toluene. The rate constants for fluorescence, intersystem crossing and internal conversion as well as fluorescence and triplet lifetimes are reported. We have also reported photodegradation and singlet oxygen quantum yields. There was no clear correlation between the later parameters. It was, however, established that the three MPcs were stable.     

Nitrogen‐Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots: A Versatile Platform for Integrated Optoelectronic Devices

Over the past 10 years, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have grown into a highly innovative optical material in various research fields, including electronics, photonics, biotechnologies, etc. With the increasing implementation of GQDs in these fields, GQDs with tunable optical properties will emerge that could be especially suitable for applications in the field of integrated photonics. Herein, a short summary of the recent state of our research on the development of nitrogen‐functionalized GQDs with tunable optical properties and their integration into photodetectors is given.     

Synthesis and photophysical studies of phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates

This work reports on the synthesis, characterization and photophysical studies of phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates. The phthalocyanine complexes are: tris-(5-trifluoromethyl-2-mercaptopyridine)-2-(carboxy)phthalocyanine (3), 2,9,17,23-tetrakis-[(1, 6-hexanedithiol) phthalocyaninato]zinc(II) (8) and [8,15,22-tris-(naptho)-2(amidoethanethiol) phthalocyanato] zinc(II)(10). The gold nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy where the size was confirmed to be ～5 nm. The phthalocyanine Au nanoparticle conjugates showed lower fluorescence quantum yield values with similar fluorescence lifetimes compared to the free phthalocyanines. The Au nanoparticle conjugates of 3 and 10 also showed higher triplet quantum yields of 0.69 to 0.71, respectively. A lower triplet quantum yield was obtained for the conjugate compared to free phthalocyanine for complex 8. The triplet lifetimes ranged from 70 to 92 μs for the conjugates and from 110 to 304 μs for unbound Pc complexes.     

绿色、低成本球磨-水热法制备石墨烯量子点及其应用研究

以绿色、简单、成本低的球磨方法制备的石墨烯为碳源,采用一步水热法成功制备了分散性好、尺寸分布均一、平均直径为(4.80 ± 0.20) nm、厚度为1~3层石墨烯烯量子点.分别采用高分辨透射电镜、原子力显微镜、傅里叶变换红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱、紫外-可见吸收光谱、荧光光谱等对石墨烯量子点进行形貌、结构以及荧光性能的表征. 合成的石墨烯量子点可用于Fe.3+的非标记、特异性检测,检测线性范围为2.0×10.-6~7.0×10.-4 mol/L,检出限为1.8×10.-6 mol/L(S/N=3),同时对检测机理进行了推断,证明此石墨烯量子点用于自来水中Fe.3+的检测的可行性;基于其低毒性和优良的生物相容性,所制备的石墨烯量子点可应用于细胞成像研究.本研究为碳纳米材料的制备提供了一种新途径,也为石墨烯量子点在生化分析、成像等方面的研究奠定了基础.     

水热法制备MoO3-GQDs的三甲胺气敏性能

采用水热法制备了一系列具有不同碳量子点(GQDs)含量的MoO3?GQDs纳米复合材料,利用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、FTIR等对MoO3?GQDs复合材料进行了表征,研究了其气敏性能。结果表明,复合材料中GQDs的含量对MoO3?GQDs复合材料的气敏响应和选择性有显著影响。MoO3?GQDs纳米复合材料(S?6,GQDs悬浮液的含量为6 mL)传感器在230℃时对三甲胺(TMA)表现出高的气敏响应和好的气敏选择性;该传感器对1000μL·L^-1 TMA的响应为74.08;对1000μL·L^-1 TMA的响应时间和恢复时间分别为73和34 s;S?6复合材料气敏传感器在230℃时可以检测到1μL·L^-1的TMA。     

Photophysical properties of sulfonated dihydroxy phosphorus(V) tetrabenzotriazacorrole

The photosensitizing properties of a novel phthalocyanine analogue, sulfonated dihydroxy phosphorus(V) tetrabenzotriazacorrole [P(OH)2TBCSn] and a non-sulfonated one [P(OH)2TBC] are reported in this paper. Different from other phthalocyanine derivatives, P(OH)2TBCSn shows little aggregation in aqueous solution. The fluorescence quantum yield (PhiF) of P(OH)2TBCSn is lower than that of the non-sulfonated one. Studies of triplet state photophysics show that the presence of peripheral substituents on the macrocycle enhances the quantum yield of the triplet state. The sulfonated derivative, P(OH)2TBCSn, has a longer triplet lifetime (tauT = 0.234 ms) and higher singlet oxygen quantum yield (PhiDelta = 0.88) than P(OH)2TBC. Together with the ground-state absorption properties, the photosensitizing properties of the new compound suggest that it may be used as an excellent photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT).     

Size Effect of Graphene Quantum Dots on Photoluminescence

High-photoluminescence (PL) graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal process, then separated by dialysis bags of different molecular weights. Four separated GQDs of varying sizes were obtained and displayed different PL intensities. With the decreasing size of separated GQDs, the intensity of the emission peak becomes much stronger. Finally, the GQDs of the smallest size revealed the most energetic PL intensity in four separated GQDs. The PL energy of all the separated GQDs shifted slightly, supported by density functional theory calculations.     

New soluble methylendioxy-phenoxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanine derivatives: Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical studies

The syntheses of new three phthalonitriles (1, 2 and 3), together with photophysical and photochemical properties of the resulting peripherally and non-peripherally tetrakis- and octakis 3,4-(methylendioxy)-phenoxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanines (4, 5 and 6) are described for the first time. Complexes 4, 5 and 6 have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy and mass spectra. Complexes 4, 5 and 6 have good solubility in organic solvents such as CHCl₃, DCM, DMSO, DMF, THF and toluene and are mainly not aggregated (except for complex 6 in DMSO) within a wide concentration range. General trends are described for singlet oxygen, photodegradation, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times of these complexes in DMSO and toluene. Complex 4 has higher singlet oxygen quantum yields, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times than complexes 5 and 6. The effect of the solvents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc(II) phthalocyanines (4, 5 and 6) are also reported.     

Preparation and formaldehyde sensitive properties of N-GQDs/SnO2 nanocomposite

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have both the properties of graphene and semiconductor quantum dots, and exhibit stronger quantum confinement effect and boundary effect than graphene. In addition, the band gap of GQDs will transform to non-zero from 0 eV of graphene by surface functionalization, which can be dispersed in common solvents and compounded with solid materials. In this work, the SnO₂ nanosheets were prepared by hydrothermal method. As the sensitizer, nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) were prepared and composited with SnO₂ nanosheets. Sensing performance of pristine SnO₂ and N-GQDs/SnO₂ were investigated with HCHO as the target gas. The response (R_a/R_g) of 0.1% N-GQDs/SnO₂ was 256 for 100 ppm HCHO at 60 °C, which was about 2.2 times higher than pristine SnO₂ nanosheet. In addition, the material also had excellent selectivity and low operation temperature. The high sensitivity of N-GQDs/SnO₂ was attributed to the increase of active sites on materials surface and the electrical regulation of N-GQDs. This research is helpful to develop new HCHO gas sensor and expand the application field of GQDs.     

Synthesis,photophysical and photochemical properties of tetra- and octa-substituted gallium and indium phthalocyanines

The synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of the tetra- and octa-[4-(benzyloxyphenoxy)] substituted gallium(III) and indium(III) phthalocyanines are reported for the first time. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and electronic spectroscopy. General trends are described for quantum yields of photodegredation, fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes, triplet lifetimes and triplet quantum yields as well as singlet oxygen quantum yields of these compounds in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Substituted indium phthalocyanine complexes (7b–9b) showed much higher quantum yields of triplet state and shorter triplet lifetimes, compared to the substituted GaPc derivatives due to enhanced intersystem crossing (ISC) in the former. The gallium and indium phthalocyanine complexes showed phototransformation during laser irradiation due to ring reduction. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ), which give an indication of the potential of the complexes as photosensitizers in applications where singlet oxygen is required (Type II mechanism) ranged from 0.51 to 0.94. Thus, these complexes show potential as photodynamic therapy of cancer.     

Efficient Direct‐Methanol Fuel Cell Based on Graphene Quantum Dots/Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes Composite

Direct‐methanol fuel cells are proton‐exchange fuel cell in which methanol is used as the fuel. The important advantage of these fuel cells is the simplicity of transport and storage of methanol. In this study, methanol fuel cell electrocatalysts including graphene quantum dots (GQDs), functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNTs) and GQDs/f‐MWCNTs composite were synthesized. The structures of synthesized electrocatalysts were highlighted by scanning electron microscope (SEM), raman spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) method. After that, the effective surface areas (ESA) of GQDs, f‐MWCNTs and GQDs/f‐MWCNTs were calculated. Finally, GQDs/f‐MWCNTs composite modified glassy carbon electrode (GQDs/f‐MWCNTs/GCE) showed highest current signals for methanol oxidation than those of comparable GQDs/GCE and f‐MWCNTs/GCE.     

Effects of Edge Oxidation on the Stability and Half‐Metallicity of Graphene Quantum Dots

A comprehensive first‐principles theoretical study of the electronic properties and half‐metallic nature of zigzag edge‐oxidized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is carried out by using density functional theory (DFT) with the screened exchange hybrid functional of Heyd, Scuseria and Ernzerhof (HSE06). The oxidation schemes include ‐OH, ‐COOH and ‐COO groups. We identify oxidized GQDs whose opposite spins are localized at the two zigzag edges in an antiferromagnetic‐type configuration, showing a spin‐polarized ground state. Oxidized GQDs are more stable than the corresponding fully hydrogenated GQDs. The partially hydroxylated and carboxylated GQDs with the same size exhibit half‐metallic state under almost the same electric‐field intensity whereas fully oxidized GQDs behave as spin‐selective semiconductors. The electric‐field intensity inducing the half metal increases with the length of the partially oxidized GQDs, ranging from M=4 to 7.     

Photophysicochemical and fluorescence quenching studies of benzyloxyphenoxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanines

Photochemical and photophysical measurements were conducted on peripheral and non-peripheral tetrakis- and octakis(4-benzyloxyphenoxy)-substituted zinc phthalocyanines (1, 2 and 3). General trends are described for photodegradation, and fluorescence quantum yields, triplet lifetimes and triplet quantum yields as well as singlet oxygen quantum yields of these compounds in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and toluene. The fluorescence of the complexes is quenched by benzoquinone (BQ), and fluorescence quenching properties are investigated in DMSO and toluene. The effects of the solvents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc(II) phthalocyanines (1, 2 and 3) are also reported. Photophysical and photochemical properties of phthalocyanine complexes are very useful for PDT applications.     

Microwave-assisted one-pot conversion from deoiled asphalt to green fluorescent graphene quantum dots and their interfacial properties

High-quality graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were prepared through a facile route of microwave-assisted one-step mild oxidation of cheap deoiled asphalt (DOA). The as-prepared DOA-derived GQDs dissolved in water with a much smaller and thinner size than most of the reported GQDs, and luminesced bright green light by excitation of 365 nm. Furthermore, the GQDs possessed excellent properties of excitation-tuned fluorescence behavior with a high quantum yield up to 16.4%. In addition, the GQDs showed amphipathic properties and could significantly reduce the interfacial tension, which give them great potential as surfactants for asphalt emulsion.