Saline hybrid nanoparticles with phthalocyanine and tetraphenylporphine anions showing efficient singlet-oxygen production and photocatalysis

Abstract

The inorganic-organic hybrid nanoparticles Gd₄³⁺[AlPCS₄]₃^4- and La₄³⁺[TPPS₄]₃^4- ([AlPCS₄]^4-: aluminium(iii) chlorido phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; [TPPS₄]^4-: tetraphenylporphine sulfonate) are shown for the first time. Both were obtained via aqueous synthesis and contain extremely high contents of [AlPCS₄]₃^4- (81 wt%) and [TPPS₄]₃^4- (83 wt%). They show efficient singlet oxygen (¹O₂) production upon daylight and red-light irradiation. Photocatalysis is evidenced via dye degradation as a proof-of-the-concept and proceeds with daylight and even red-light illumination.