Spectroscopic characterization and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy of phthalocyanine-silver triangular nanoprism conjugates when supported on asymmetric polymer membranes.

Silver triangular nanoprisms were synthesized and conjugated to zinc (ZnPc) and indium (InPc) phthalocyanines prior to embedding in asymmetric membranes. Conjugation of nanoparticles increased triplet state and singlet oxygen quantum yields of the phthalocyanines as well as enhancing photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activity against bacteria (S. aureus). The ZnPc derivative showed higher PACT activity when compared to the InPc, possibly due to degradation of the latter in aqueous media.