Abstract
Owing to the need for new low-dimensional molecular assemblies with tailored electronic properties, the current study presents a facile approach for the synthesis and assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto functional graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-phthalocyanines (Pcs) arrays and the investigation of their photophysical and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties. The GQDs were functionalized with L-glutathione (GSH) (to form GQDs@GSH) in order to assist coupling to the low symmetry Zn tris–(tert–butyl) mono carboxyphenoxy (propionic acid) phthalocyanine (complex 1) to form 1@GQDs. The affinity of gold (Au) to sulphur (S) was exploited for the assembly of the AuNPs onto 1@GQDs platform to form 1@GQDs-AuNPs. Transmission electron microscopic investigations confirmed the formation of monodispersed, spherical Pc/GQDs@GSH/AuNPs hybrids. The nanocomposite displayed high triplet quantum yields, which translated into high singlet oxygen quantum yield as high as 87%. Furthermore, the formed composites demonstrated strong surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties with an unprecedented intrinsic maximal enhancement factor of more than 30-fold. These nanostructures also retain more than 90% of their original SERS intensities after a week of storage, displaying superb stability under ambient conditions. These results highlight the remarkable potential of this composite as a unique Raman-based PDT dosimetric agent.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 131-144 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry |
| Volume | 359 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Apr 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa, through the DST/NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative for Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology (UID 62620). We would also like to thank Rhodes University, and Dr Desmond E. Goddard for their financial support.
Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and National Research Foundation (NRF) , South Africa, through the DST/NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative for Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology (UID 62620). We would also like to thank Rhodes University , and Dr Desmond E. Goddard for their financial support.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier B.V.