Zn-phthalocyanine-functionalized nanometal and nanometal–TiO2 hybrids: aggregation behavior and excited-state dynamics

Abstract

Dithiol-substituted Zn-phthalocyanine derivatives (TAZnPc1, TAZnPc2 and TAZnPc3) were synthesized and functionalized on nanometals (Au and Ag) and nanometal–TiO₂ hybrids were harnessed to cover the visible region of the absorption spectrum. Photophysical studies reveal that both H- and J-aggregation were present in the ZnPc-functionalized nanometal, and the extent of J-aggregation is superior on the surface of Ag nanoparticles. On the other hand, no H-aggregation was observed in the nanometal–TiO₂ hybrid film, despite the fact that the tetra-anchoring derivative (TAZnPc3) shows lesser J-aggregation on the nanometal–TiO₂ hybrid film than that of other two mono-anchoring derivatives (TAZnPc1 and TAZnPc2). Further, the electron injection and recombination processes were investigated by time-resolved fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. All the derivatives furnish biexponential decay on the nanometal surface. The shorter component is due to electron injection of ZnPc-nanometal particles and the longer component is due to free ZnPc. The rate of electron injection is faster for ZnPc-gold nanoparticles than that of silver nanoparticles, predominantly in TAZnPc1. This is due to the greater aggregation tendency of ZnPc derivatives on Ag nanoparticles than Au nanoparticles. After electron injection, the electron-transfer product (i.e. the radical cation of ZnPc) was observed at 600 nm. Moreover, the fluorescence of ZnPc derivatives on nanometal–TiO₂ films was completely quenched due to the shuttling of electrons from ZnPc to TiO₂ efficiently by metal nanoparticles.