Spectroscopic studies on the photostability and photoactivity of metallo-tetraphenylporphyrin in micelles

Abstract

Inspired by natural photosynthesis, we employed polymeric micelles to enhance the water solubility and photostability of hydrophobic metallo-tetraphenylporphyrin (metallo-TPP) by complexation with poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PEG-b-P4VP) via axial coordination. The structure and photochemical properties of the complex micelles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and laser light scatting. The photostability and electron transfer ability of metalloporphyrins in the micelles were investigated under continuous irradiation. The results show that metallo-TPPs entrapped in the micellar cores possess higher photostability and better electron transfer ability. The hydrophobic metalloporphyrins remains active inside the micelles which is reminiscent of chlorophyll protein complex in photosynthesis. The use of micelle thus may provide a promising system on designing photocatalysts for targeting applications in solar energy conversion and photodynamic tumor therapy (PDT).