Dual and targeted photodynamic therapy ablation of bacterial and cancer cells using phthalocyanines and porphyrins in the presence of carbon-based nanomaterials
- Authors: Openda, Yolande Ikala
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Porphyrins , Active oxygen , Biofilms , Breast Cancer Treatment , Nanostructured materials , Combination therapy , Photochemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365945 , vital:65804 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962//365946
- Description: Phthalocyanines (Pcs) and porphyrins bearing substituents that possess antibacterial/anticancer properties are used as photosensitizers (PS) for the first time in the work. For targeting specificity and improved photoactivity, the PSs were afterward functionalized with carbon nanomaterials such as graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) via covalent conjugation (amide or ester bonds) or by non-covalent conjugation (π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions). Furthermore, the PSs-DNDs nanoconjugates were conjugated to either chitosan-capped silver nanoparticles (CSAg) via amide bonds or to the bare silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using the silver- nitrogen affinity. The as-synthesized nanoconjugates were also fully characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic methods together with thermal analysis. The potential photocytotoxicity of the complexes alone and their nanoconjugates against S. aureus and/or E. coli planktonic and biofilm cultures has been evaluated in vitro. Compared to the non- quaternized PSs, the cationic analogs exhibited a higher photodynamic inactivation against the planktonic cells with log10 reduction values above 9 in the viable count using a concentration of ca. 1.25 μM following 30 min exposure to light (Light dose: 943 J/cm2 for Pcs and 250 mW/cm2 for porphyrins). Whereas, at a concentration of ca. 100 μM the cationic PSs showed complete eradication of biofilms upon 30 min exposure to light. As a result of conjugation to carbon-based nanomaterials and silver nanoparticles, the compounds proved to be more effective as they exhibited stronger antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities on the multi-drug resistant bacteria strains due to synergetic effect, compared to PSs alone. This suggests that the newly prepared nanohybrids (PS concentration ca. 100 μM) could be used as potential antimicrobial agents in the treatment of biofilm-related infections. The target nanoconjugates showed all the advantages of two different groups existing on a single entity. In light of the potential advantages of combined chemotherapy and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT), this work reports for the first time the use of PACT-ciprofloxacin (CIP) dual therapy using selected indium quaternized PSs which showed higher photoactivity with complete eradication of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria biofilms at concentrations of 8 μM of PS versus 2 μg/mL of the antibiotic following 15 min irradiation time (light dose: 471 J/cm2 for Pcs and fluence: 250 mW/cm2 for porphyrins) on S. aureus. Whereas the total killing of E. coli was obtained when combining 8 or 16 μM of PS combined with 4 μg/mL of CIP. The combined treatment resulted in the complete eradication of the matured biofilms with the highest log10 reduction values of 7.05 and 7.20 on S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Used as a model, positively charged dimethylamino-chalcone Pcs also exhibited interesting photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity against MCF-7 cancer cells giving IC50 values of 17.9 and 7.4 μM, respectively following 15 min irradiation. Additionally, the TD-B3LYP/LanL2DZ calculations were run on the dimethylaminophenyl- porphyrins to compare the singlet excitation energies of quaternized and non-quaternized porphyrins in vacuo. the study shows excellent agreement between time-dependent density- functional theory (TD-DFT) exciting energies and the experimental S1>S0 excitation energies. The small deviation observed between the calculated and experimental spectra arises from the solvent effect. The excitation energies observed in these UV-Vis spectra mostly originated from electron promotion between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) for the less intense band and the HOMO-1 for the most intense band of the ground states to the lower unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the excited states. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Openda, Yolande Ikala
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Porphyrins , Active oxygen , Biofilms , Breast Cancer Treatment , Nanostructured materials , Combination therapy , Photochemotherapy
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365945 , vital:65804 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962//365946
- Description: Phthalocyanines (Pcs) and porphyrins bearing substituents that possess antibacterial/anticancer properties are used as photosensitizers (PS) for the first time in the work. For targeting specificity and improved photoactivity, the PSs were afterward functionalized with carbon nanomaterials such as graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) via covalent conjugation (amide or ester bonds) or by non-covalent conjugation (π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions). Furthermore, the PSs-DNDs nanoconjugates were conjugated to either chitosan-capped silver nanoparticles (CSAg) via amide bonds or to the bare silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using the silver- nitrogen affinity. The as-synthesized nanoconjugates were also fully characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic methods together with thermal analysis. The potential photocytotoxicity of the complexes alone and their nanoconjugates against S. aureus and/or E. coli planktonic and biofilm cultures has been evaluated in vitro. Compared to the non- quaternized PSs, the cationic analogs exhibited a higher photodynamic inactivation against the planktonic cells with log10 reduction values above 9 in the viable count using a concentration of ca. 1.25 μM following 30 min exposure to light (Light dose: 943 J/cm2 for Pcs and 250 mW/cm2 for porphyrins). Whereas, at a concentration of ca. 100 μM the cationic PSs showed complete eradication of biofilms upon 30 min exposure to light. As a result of conjugation to carbon-based nanomaterials and silver nanoparticles, the compounds proved to be more effective as they exhibited stronger antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities on the multi-drug resistant bacteria strains due to synergetic effect, compared to PSs alone. This suggests that the newly prepared nanohybrids (PS concentration ca. 100 μM) could be used as potential antimicrobial agents in the treatment of biofilm-related infections. The target nanoconjugates showed all the advantages of two different groups existing on a single entity. In light of the potential advantages of combined chemotherapy and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT), this work reports for the first time the use of PACT-ciprofloxacin (CIP) dual therapy using selected indium quaternized PSs which showed higher photoactivity with complete eradication of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria biofilms at concentrations of 8 μM of PS versus 2 μg/mL of the antibiotic following 15 min irradiation time (light dose: 471 J/cm2 for Pcs and fluence: 250 mW/cm2 for porphyrins) on S. aureus. Whereas the total killing of E. coli was obtained when combining 8 or 16 μM of PS combined with 4 μg/mL of CIP. The combined treatment resulted in the complete eradication of the matured biofilms with the highest log10 reduction values of 7.05 and 7.20 on S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Used as a model, positively charged dimethylamino-chalcone Pcs also exhibited interesting photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity against MCF-7 cancer cells giving IC50 values of 17.9 and 7.4 μM, respectively following 15 min irradiation. Additionally, the TD-B3LYP/LanL2DZ calculations were run on the dimethylaminophenyl- porphyrins to compare the singlet excitation energies of quaternized and non-quaternized porphyrins in vacuo. the study shows excellent agreement between time-dependent density- functional theory (TD-DFT) exciting energies and the experimental S1>S0 excitation energies. The small deviation observed between the calculated and experimental spectra arises from the solvent effect. The excitation energies observed in these UV-Vis spectra mostly originated from electron promotion between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) for the less intense band and the HOMO-1 for the most intense band of the ground states to the lower unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the excited states. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Inhibition of aluminium corrosion using phthalocyanines: Experimental and computational studies
- Authors: Nnaji, Nnaemeka Joshua
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Aluminum Corrosion , Electrochemistry , Phthalocyanines , Corrosion and anti-corrosives , Protective coatings , Density functionals
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294643 , vital:57240 , DOI 10.21504/10962/294643
- Description: Metal deterioration over time is a process known as corrosion, an electrochemical process, which can occur by surface chemical actions on metals by its environment. Metal corrosion have great economic, security, and environmental consequences, and its control is a major research area in corrosion science. Amongst the different corrosion protecting approaches, the use of corrosion inhibitors and protective coatings have attracted enormous research interest in this area of scholasticism. This has necessitated the computational and electrochemical investigations of aluminium corrosion inhibitive potentials of some compounds in 1M HCl. Metal free (5_H2), ClGa(III) (5_Ga) and Co(II) (5_Co) tetrakis(4-acetamidophenoxy)phthalocyanines as well as Co(II) 2,9,16-tris(4-(tert-butyl)phenoxy)-23-(pyridin-4-yloxy)phthalocyanine (6) and Co(II) 2,9,16,24-tetrakis(4-(tert-butyl)phenoxy)phthalocyanine (7) were synthesized for the first time and studied for corrosion inhibition. The reported ClGa(III) tetrakis(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl-thio)phthalocyaninine (1), ClGa(III) tetrakis(benzo[d]thiazol-2ylphenoxy)phthalocyanine (2), ClGa(III) tetrakis-4-(hexadecane-1,2-dioxyl)-bis(phthalocyanine) (3) and ClGa(III) tetrakis-4,4′-((4-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1,2-bis(phenoxy)-bis(phthalocyanine) (4) were also employed for corrosion inhibition of Al in HCl. Corrosion inhibition measurements using electrochemical techniques showed that increased π conjugation caused (1) to (2) to outperform (1a) and (2a) respectively as aluminium corrosion inhibitors in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid. For similar reason, (4) outperformed 2. (1) and (2) were successfully electrodeposited onto aluminium for corrosion retardation in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid solution. Measurements obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy gave corrosion inhibition efficiency values of 82% for 1 and 86% for 2 in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid solution and showed that electrodeposited phthalocyanines have enhanced aluminium corrosion retardation than when in solution. The use of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGONS) alone as aluminium corrosion inhibitor is discouraged because of poor aluminium corrosion inhibition in 1M HCl. However, synergistic effects were observed when rGONS was mixed each with (4) and (3). (5_H2), (5_Ga) and (5_Co) decreased aluminium corrosion in 1M HCl and observation was that the heavier the atom the more decreased the protection and the free base performed best of the three. Studied tertbutylphenoxy-derived CoPcs (6 and 7) exhibited good aluminium corrosion inhibition properties in studied acidic solution and the unsymmetric CoPc (6) which has more heteroatoms, gave better performance. Quantum chemical calculations involved the use of density functional theoretical (DFT) approaches and gave results which corroborated with experimental findings. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
- Authors: Nnaji, Nnaemeka Joshua
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Aluminum Corrosion , Electrochemistry , Phthalocyanines , Corrosion and anti-corrosives , Protective coatings , Density functionals
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294643 , vital:57240 , DOI 10.21504/10962/294643
- Description: Metal deterioration over time is a process known as corrosion, an electrochemical process, which can occur by surface chemical actions on metals by its environment. Metal corrosion have great economic, security, and environmental consequences, and its control is a major research area in corrosion science. Amongst the different corrosion protecting approaches, the use of corrosion inhibitors and protective coatings have attracted enormous research interest in this area of scholasticism. This has necessitated the computational and electrochemical investigations of aluminium corrosion inhibitive potentials of some compounds in 1M HCl. Metal free (5_H2), ClGa(III) (5_Ga) and Co(II) (5_Co) tetrakis(4-acetamidophenoxy)phthalocyanines as well as Co(II) 2,9,16-tris(4-(tert-butyl)phenoxy)-23-(pyridin-4-yloxy)phthalocyanine (6) and Co(II) 2,9,16,24-tetrakis(4-(tert-butyl)phenoxy)phthalocyanine (7) were synthesized for the first time and studied for corrosion inhibition. The reported ClGa(III) tetrakis(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl-thio)phthalocyaninine (1), ClGa(III) tetrakis(benzo[d]thiazol-2ylphenoxy)phthalocyanine (2), ClGa(III) tetrakis-4-(hexadecane-1,2-dioxyl)-bis(phthalocyanine) (3) and ClGa(III) tetrakis-4,4′-((4-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1,2-bis(phenoxy)-bis(phthalocyanine) (4) were also employed for corrosion inhibition of Al in HCl. Corrosion inhibition measurements using electrochemical techniques showed that increased π conjugation caused (1) to (2) to outperform (1a) and (2a) respectively as aluminium corrosion inhibitors in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid. For similar reason, (4) outperformed 2. (1) and (2) were successfully electrodeposited onto aluminium for corrosion retardation in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid solution. Measurements obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy gave corrosion inhibition efficiency values of 82% for 1 and 86% for 2 in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid solution and showed that electrodeposited phthalocyanines have enhanced aluminium corrosion retardation than when in solution. The use of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGONS) alone as aluminium corrosion inhibitor is discouraged because of poor aluminium corrosion inhibition in 1M HCl. However, synergistic effects were observed when rGONS was mixed each with (4) and (3). (5_H2), (5_Ga) and (5_Co) decreased aluminium corrosion in 1M HCl and observation was that the heavier the atom the more decreased the protection and the free base performed best of the three. Studied tertbutylphenoxy-derived CoPcs (6 and 7) exhibited good aluminium corrosion inhibition properties in studied acidic solution and the unsymmetric CoPc (6) which has more heteroatoms, gave better performance. Quantum chemical calculations involved the use of density functional theoretical (DFT) approaches and gave results which corroborated with experimental findings. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
Singlet oxygen and optical limiting applications of BODIPYs and other molecular dyes
- Authors: May, Aviwe Khanya
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Dyes and dyeing Chemistry , Phthalocyanines , Photochemotherapy , Active oxygen , Nonlinear optics , Time-dependent density functional theory , Photochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294618 , vital:57238 , DOI 10.21504/10962/294620
- Description: A series of structurally diverse novel and previously synthesized BODIPY core dyes are synthesized and characterized in this thesis. These BODIPYs were synthesized using 2-methylpyrrole, 2-ethylpyrrole, 2,4-dimethylpyrrole and 3-ethyl-2,4-dimethylpyrrole as the starting pyrroles. The combination of different pyrroles with the same aldehyde results in BODIPY core dyes that are structural analogues. These core dyes were used as precursors to synthesise halogenated BODIPYs and novel styrylBODIPY dyes, which were successfully characterized using FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The halogenated BODIPY core dyes and the styrylBODIPY dyes were also characterized using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The introduction of heavy atoms on the BODIPY core leads to a red shift of the main spectral. In the presence of styryl groups, the main spectral band red shifts to the far red end of the visible region. As expected, the halogenated BODIPY core dyes also had moderate singlet oxygen quantum yields. These halogenated core dyes were found to be suitable as photosensitizers as all the dyes reduced bacterial viability to below 50% during photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) studies against Staphylococcus aureus. The structure-property relationships studied demonstrate that the presence of protons rather than methyls at the 1,7-positions or iodines at the 2,6-positions results in more favorable PACT activity. This is likely to be related to the greater ability of the meso-aryl to rotate into the plane of the dipyrromethene ligand and suggests that there should be a stronger focus on dyes of this type in future studies in this field. During nonlinear optical (NLO) studies, all the styrylBODIPYs exhibited favorable reverse saturable absorption (RSA) responses. In the absence of methyl groups at the 1,7-positions, the meso-aryl ring lies closer to the π-system of the BODIPY core, enhancing donor (D)–π–acceptor (A) properties and resulting in slightly enhanced optical limiting (OL) parameters. Additionally, there is no evidence that the introduction of heavy atoms at the 2,6-positions significantly enhances OL properties. In a similar manner, alkyl substituents at these positions also do not significantly enhance OL properties; this was studied for the first time using 15 with ethyl groups at the 2,6-positions. The combination of z-scan data and transient spectroscopy for 16 demonstrated that the main mechanism responsible for the NLO properties of nonhalogenated BODIPY dyes is one-photon absorption from the ground state followed by ESA in the singlet manifold. From the NLO studies of 25, OL parameters of 1,3,5-tristyrylBODIPY dyes were found to be similar in magnitude to properties of distyrylBODIPY dyes, but to have less favorable optical properties for OL applications. The OL properties of scandium phthalocyanines were assessed for the first time, since the Sc(III) ion, unusually for a first row transition metal ion, is known to readily form sandwich complexes. The presence of a Sc(III) ion does not significantly enhance the OL properties of phthalocyanines relative to those of rare earth metal ions that also form complexes of this type. Because BODIPYs and phthalocyanines typically absorb significantly in the visible region, transparent PBC polymer thin films of disilane-bridged compounds with minimal absorption in this region were studied and exhibited an excellent RSA response. These compounds may be useful in the design of OL materials that can protect the human eye. The optimized geometries and spectroscopic properties of selected BODIPYs were studied. As expected, the presence of bromine, iodine, ethyl and styryl groups at different positions of the BODIPY core leads to a narrowing of the HOMO–LUMO band gap, which results in a red-shift of the main spectral band. Partial atomic charges have also been calculated for some of the styrylBODIPY dyes studied for application in OL, and electrostatic potential energy maps were also visualized to better assess how the dipole moment of BODIPY dyes can be modulated since this can affect the OL properties. For all the BODIPYs studied, the electronegativity of the atoms present influences charge distribution on the BODIPY structure. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
- Authors: May, Aviwe Khanya
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Dyes and dyeing Chemistry , Phthalocyanines , Photochemotherapy , Active oxygen , Nonlinear optics , Time-dependent density functional theory , Photochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294618 , vital:57238 , DOI 10.21504/10962/294620
- Description: A series of structurally diverse novel and previously synthesized BODIPY core dyes are synthesized and characterized in this thesis. These BODIPYs were synthesized using 2-methylpyrrole, 2-ethylpyrrole, 2,4-dimethylpyrrole and 3-ethyl-2,4-dimethylpyrrole as the starting pyrroles. The combination of different pyrroles with the same aldehyde results in BODIPY core dyes that are structural analogues. These core dyes were used as precursors to synthesise halogenated BODIPYs and novel styrylBODIPY dyes, which were successfully characterized using FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The halogenated BODIPY core dyes and the styrylBODIPY dyes were also characterized using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The introduction of heavy atoms on the BODIPY core leads to a red shift of the main spectral. In the presence of styryl groups, the main spectral band red shifts to the far red end of the visible region. As expected, the halogenated BODIPY core dyes also had moderate singlet oxygen quantum yields. These halogenated core dyes were found to be suitable as photosensitizers as all the dyes reduced bacterial viability to below 50% during photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) studies against Staphylococcus aureus. The structure-property relationships studied demonstrate that the presence of protons rather than methyls at the 1,7-positions or iodines at the 2,6-positions results in more favorable PACT activity. This is likely to be related to the greater ability of the meso-aryl to rotate into the plane of the dipyrromethene ligand and suggests that there should be a stronger focus on dyes of this type in future studies in this field. During nonlinear optical (NLO) studies, all the styrylBODIPYs exhibited favorable reverse saturable absorption (RSA) responses. In the absence of methyl groups at the 1,7-positions, the meso-aryl ring lies closer to the π-system of the BODIPY core, enhancing donor (D)–π–acceptor (A) properties and resulting in slightly enhanced optical limiting (OL) parameters. Additionally, there is no evidence that the introduction of heavy atoms at the 2,6-positions significantly enhances OL properties. In a similar manner, alkyl substituents at these positions also do not significantly enhance OL properties; this was studied for the first time using 15 with ethyl groups at the 2,6-positions. The combination of z-scan data and transient spectroscopy for 16 demonstrated that the main mechanism responsible for the NLO properties of nonhalogenated BODIPY dyes is one-photon absorption from the ground state followed by ESA in the singlet manifold. From the NLO studies of 25, OL parameters of 1,3,5-tristyrylBODIPY dyes were found to be similar in magnitude to properties of distyrylBODIPY dyes, but to have less favorable optical properties for OL applications. The OL properties of scandium phthalocyanines were assessed for the first time, since the Sc(III) ion, unusually for a first row transition metal ion, is known to readily form sandwich complexes. The presence of a Sc(III) ion does not significantly enhance the OL properties of phthalocyanines relative to those of rare earth metal ions that also form complexes of this type. Because BODIPYs and phthalocyanines typically absorb significantly in the visible region, transparent PBC polymer thin films of disilane-bridged compounds with minimal absorption in this region were studied and exhibited an excellent RSA response. These compounds may be useful in the design of OL materials that can protect the human eye. The optimized geometries and spectroscopic properties of selected BODIPYs were studied. As expected, the presence of bromine, iodine, ethyl and styryl groups at different positions of the BODIPY core leads to a narrowing of the HOMO–LUMO band gap, which results in a red-shift of the main spectral band. Partial atomic charges have also been calculated for some of the styrylBODIPY dyes studied for application in OL, and electrostatic potential energy maps were also visualized to better assess how the dipole moment of BODIPY dyes can be modulated since this can affect the OL properties. For all the BODIPYs studied, the electronegativity of the atoms present influences charge distribution on the BODIPY structure. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
The systematic assembly of prostate specific antigen electrochemical sensors based on asymmetric Co(II) phthalocyanines, graphitic quantum dots and an aptamer
- Authors: Nxele, Siphesihle Robin
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Prostate-specific antigen , Electrochemical sensors , Phthalocyanines , Quantum dots , Co(II) phthalocyanines , Aptamer
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232893 , vital:50035 , DOI 10.21504/10962/232893
- Description: The need for low-cost, efficient and simple diagnostic tools has led to more research going into this subject, with the aim of making such medical devices more accessible where they are needed. This has led to more researchers developing point-of-care devices for this purpose worldwide, by sensor fabrication. This thesis focuses on electrochemical sensor development for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. It is common knowledge that prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent carcinomas that have claimed lives due to late diagnosis where even the most invasive treatments have failed. For this reason, development of early detection devices that can even be used in the comfort of home is necessary and quite crucial. Electrochemical sensors have gained much attention due to their ease of fabrication, cost effectiveness, simplicity, ease of use and high efficiency. Using nanocomposites as modifiers has also become popular as they provide greater stability and improve detection limits when used together with biomolecules. With that said, the work reported herein has combined nanocomposites of graphenebased quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, phthalocyanines and an aptamer in order to fabricate aptasensors for the electrochemical detection of prostate cancer biomarker. The aptamer is specifically designed to bind to the biomarker, and the nanocomposites are expected to enhance current output thus lowering detection limits and increasing stability and efficiency. Reproducible results are also expected. Prior to the detection of the prostate cancer biomarker, the quantum dots-phthalocyanine nanohybrids were used to detect L-cysteine, which is an amino acid, in order to verify the synergistic effects as electrode modifiers that lead to the enhancement of current output. This increase in current output is then v exploited for the improvement of aptasensor functionality upon incorporation of the aptamer, for the detection of prostate specific antigen. The research in this thesis has been carried out with the intention of contributing to the world of medical research, more so because of the ever-increasing need for medical care to become accessible to all and not only to those who can afford expensive technologies and treatments. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
- Authors: Nxele, Siphesihle Robin
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Prostate-specific antigen , Electrochemical sensors , Phthalocyanines , Quantum dots , Co(II) phthalocyanines , Aptamer
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232893 , vital:50035 , DOI 10.21504/10962/232893
- Description: The need for low-cost, efficient and simple diagnostic tools has led to more research going into this subject, with the aim of making such medical devices more accessible where they are needed. This has led to more researchers developing point-of-care devices for this purpose worldwide, by sensor fabrication. This thesis focuses on electrochemical sensor development for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer. It is common knowledge that prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent carcinomas that have claimed lives due to late diagnosis where even the most invasive treatments have failed. For this reason, development of early detection devices that can even be used in the comfort of home is necessary and quite crucial. Electrochemical sensors have gained much attention due to their ease of fabrication, cost effectiveness, simplicity, ease of use and high efficiency. Using nanocomposites as modifiers has also become popular as they provide greater stability and improve detection limits when used together with biomolecules. With that said, the work reported herein has combined nanocomposites of graphenebased quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, phthalocyanines and an aptamer in order to fabricate aptasensors for the electrochemical detection of prostate cancer biomarker. The aptamer is specifically designed to bind to the biomarker, and the nanocomposites are expected to enhance current output thus lowering detection limits and increasing stability and efficiency. Reproducible results are also expected. Prior to the detection of the prostate cancer biomarker, the quantum dots-phthalocyanine nanohybrids were used to detect L-cysteine, which is an amino acid, in order to verify the synergistic effects as electrode modifiers that lead to the enhancement of current output. This increase in current output is then v exploited for the improvement of aptasensor functionality upon incorporation of the aptamer, for the detection of prostate specific antigen. The research in this thesis has been carried out with the intention of contributing to the world of medical research, more so because of the ever-increasing need for medical care to become accessible to all and not only to those who can afford expensive technologies and treatments. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
Design of pH Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for Catecholamine Neurotransmitters Detection and the Screening Off of Ascorbic Acid
- Tshenkeng, Keamogetse Tebogo Charlotte
- Authors: Tshenkeng, Keamogetse Tebogo Charlotte
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Catecholamines , Electrochemical sensors , Neurotransmitters , Vitamin C , Cobalt , Phthalocyanines , Cobalt (II) tetra-(3-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyanine (CoTCPhOPc)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176921 , vital:42772
- Description: This study presents the synthesis of cobalt (II) tetra-(3-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyanine (CoTCPhOPc) through the cyclotetramerization of 4-(3-carboxyphe-noxy)phthalonitrile and its full characterization using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. The CoTCPhOPc was then immobilized onto phenylethylamino (PEA) pre-grafted gold electrode surface, Au-PEA using amide coupling reaction through a reaction with NHS and DCC to obtain Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc. This yielded pH sensitive thin films due to the terminal carboxylic acid (–COOH) functional groups. Electrochemical and surface characterization was conducted to confirm the modification of the bare Au with PEA thin film (Au-PEA) and amide coupling of CoTCPhOPc (Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc). The Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc electrode was shown to possess pH selective properties towards negatively charged [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- and positively charged [Ru(NH3)6]2+/3+ redox probes. Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc electrode surface enabled the detection of catecholamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) and the screening off of ascorbic acid by means of pH sensitive functional groups. Bare Au and Au-PEA electrodes exhibited electro-oxidation and electroreduction of catecholamine neuro-transmitters and ascorbic acid at higher potentials compared to Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc. There was no electro-oxidation or electroreduction of ascorbic acid at Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc. For Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc, excellent electrocatalytic oxidation with the limit of detection (LoD) determined using 3σ was found to be 1.32 (0.95), 2.11 (1.78) and 3.08 μM for electro-oxidation and electroreduction (in brackets) of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine respectively. The limit of quantification (LoQ) was determined using 10σ and found to be 4.41 (3.17), 7.02 (5.93) and 10.3 μM electro-oxidation and electroreduction (in brackets) for dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine respectively. The Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc thin film was shown to screen off ascorbic acid as no electrocatalytic oxidation was observed for up to 100.0 μM concentration. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Tshenkeng, Keamogetse Tebogo Charlotte
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Catecholamines , Electrochemical sensors , Neurotransmitters , Vitamin C , Cobalt , Phthalocyanines , Cobalt (II) tetra-(3-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyanine (CoTCPhOPc)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176921 , vital:42772
- Description: This study presents the synthesis of cobalt (II) tetra-(3-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyanine (CoTCPhOPc) through the cyclotetramerization of 4-(3-carboxyphe-noxy)phthalonitrile and its full characterization using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. The CoTCPhOPc was then immobilized onto phenylethylamino (PEA) pre-grafted gold electrode surface, Au-PEA using amide coupling reaction through a reaction with NHS and DCC to obtain Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc. This yielded pH sensitive thin films due to the terminal carboxylic acid (–COOH) functional groups. Electrochemical and surface characterization was conducted to confirm the modification of the bare Au with PEA thin film (Au-PEA) and amide coupling of CoTCPhOPc (Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc). The Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc electrode was shown to possess pH selective properties towards negatively charged [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- and positively charged [Ru(NH3)6]2+/3+ redox probes. Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc electrode surface enabled the detection of catecholamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine) and the screening off of ascorbic acid by means of pH sensitive functional groups. Bare Au and Au-PEA electrodes exhibited electro-oxidation and electroreduction of catecholamine neuro-transmitters and ascorbic acid at higher potentials compared to Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc. There was no electro-oxidation or electroreduction of ascorbic acid at Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc. For Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc, excellent electrocatalytic oxidation with the limit of detection (LoD) determined using 3σ was found to be 1.32 (0.95), 2.11 (1.78) and 3.08 μM for electro-oxidation and electroreduction (in brackets) of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine respectively. The limit of quantification (LoQ) was determined using 10σ and found to be 4.41 (3.17), 7.02 (5.93) and 10.3 μM electro-oxidation and electroreduction (in brackets) for dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine respectively. The Au-PEA-CoTCPhOPc thin film was shown to screen off ascorbic acid as no electrocatalytic oxidation was observed for up to 100.0 μM concentration. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Phthalocyanine-nanoparticle conjugates supported on inorganic nanofibers as photocatalysts for the treatment of biological and organic pollutants as well as for hydrogen generation
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanofibers , Nanoparticles , Zinc , Hydrogen , Organic water pollutants , Water Purification , Electrospinning , Photocatalysis , Photodegradation , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192831 , vital:45268 , 10.21504/10962/192831
- Description: This thesis reports on the synthesis, photophysicochemical and photocatalytic properties of various zinc phthalocyanines (Pcs). For enhanced properties and catalyst support, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. For increased catalyst surface area and catalyst reusability, the Pcs and some of their conjugates were also supported on electrospun inorganic nanofibers i.e. SiO2, hematite (abbreviated Hem and has formula α-Fe2O3), ZnO and TiO2 nanofibers. The effect that the number of charges on a Pc has on its antimicrobial activities was evaluated by comparing the photoactivities of neutral, octacationic and hexadecacationic Pcs against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The extent of enhancement of their antimicrobial activities upon conjugation (through chemisorption) to Ag NPs was also studied in solution and when supported on SiO2 nanofibers. The results showed that the hexadecacationic complex 3 possessed the best antimicrobial activity against all three microorganisms, in solution and when supported on the SiO2 nanofibers. Covalent conjugation of Pcs with carboxylic acid moieties (complexes 4-6) to amine functionalised NPs (Cys-Ag, NH2-Fe3O4 and Cys-Fe3O4@Ag) resulted in enhanced singlet oxygen generation and thus antibacterial efficiencies. Comparison of the photodegradation efficiencies of semiconductor nanofibers (hematite, ZnO and TiO2) when bare and when modified with a Pc (complex 6) were evaluated. Modification of the nanofibers with the Pc resulted in enhanced photoactivities for the nanofibers with the hematite nanofibers being the best. Modification of the hematite nanofibers with two different Pcs i.e. monosubstituted (complex 5) and an asymmetrical tetrasubstituted Pc (complex 6) showed that complex 6 better enhanced the activity of the nanofibers. Evaluation of the hydrogen generation efficiencies of the bare and modified TiO2 nanofibers calcined at different temperatures demonstrated that the anatase nanofibers calcined at 500 oC possessed the best catalytic efficiency. The efficiency of the TiO2 nanofibers was enhanced in the presence of the Co and Pd NPs as well as a Pc (complex 7), with the extent of enhancement being the greatest for the nanofibers modified with the Pd NPs. The reported findings therefore demonstrate the versatility of applications of Pcs for different water purification techniques when supported on different nanomaterials. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanofibers , Nanoparticles , Zinc , Hydrogen , Organic water pollutants , Water Purification , Electrospinning , Photocatalysis , Photodegradation , Anti-infective agents
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192831 , vital:45268 , 10.21504/10962/192831
- Description: This thesis reports on the synthesis, photophysicochemical and photocatalytic properties of various zinc phthalocyanines (Pcs). For enhanced properties and catalyst support, the reported Pcs were conjugated to different nanoparticles (NPs) through chemisorption as well as amide bond formation to yield Pc-NP conjugates. For increased catalyst surface area and catalyst reusability, the Pcs and some of their conjugates were also supported on electrospun inorganic nanofibers i.e. SiO2, hematite (abbreviated Hem and has formula α-Fe2O3), ZnO and TiO2 nanofibers. The effect that the number of charges on a Pc has on its antimicrobial activities was evaluated by comparing the photoactivities of neutral, octacationic and hexadecacationic Pcs against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The extent of enhancement of their antimicrobial activities upon conjugation (through chemisorption) to Ag NPs was also studied in solution and when supported on SiO2 nanofibers. The results showed that the hexadecacationic complex 3 possessed the best antimicrobial activity against all three microorganisms, in solution and when supported on the SiO2 nanofibers. Covalent conjugation of Pcs with carboxylic acid moieties (complexes 4-6) to amine functionalised NPs (Cys-Ag, NH2-Fe3O4 and Cys-Fe3O4@Ag) resulted in enhanced singlet oxygen generation and thus antibacterial efficiencies. Comparison of the photodegradation efficiencies of semiconductor nanofibers (hematite, ZnO and TiO2) when bare and when modified with a Pc (complex 6) were evaluated. Modification of the nanofibers with the Pc resulted in enhanced photoactivities for the nanofibers with the hematite nanofibers being the best. Modification of the hematite nanofibers with two different Pcs i.e. monosubstituted (complex 5) and an asymmetrical tetrasubstituted Pc (complex 6) showed that complex 6 better enhanced the activity of the nanofibers. Evaluation of the hydrogen generation efficiencies of the bare and modified TiO2 nanofibers calcined at different temperatures demonstrated that the anatase nanofibers calcined at 500 oC possessed the best catalytic efficiency. The efficiency of the TiO2 nanofibers was enhanced in the presence of the Co and Pd NPs as well as a Pc (complex 7), with the extent of enhancement being the greatest for the nanofibers modified with the Pd NPs. The reported findings therefore demonstrate the versatility of applications of Pcs for different water purification techniques when supported on different nanomaterials. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
The construction of phthalocyanine- carbon nanoparticle conjugates for applications in photodynamic therapy and non-linear optics
- Matshitse, Refilwe Manyama Stephina
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe Manyama Stephina
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanodiamonds , Photochemotherapy , Nonlinear optics , Quantum dots
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188397 , vital:44750 , 10.21504/10962/188397
- Description: The syntheses and characterization of symmetric and asymmetric Pcs functionalized at the peripheral position and sometimes positively charged are reported. The Pcs had either H2, zinc or silicon as central metals and have pyridyloxy, benzothiozole phenoxy, and respective cationic analogues as ring substituents. The Pcs were linked to carbon based nanoparticles such as graphene quantum dots, carbon dots, and detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) via an ester, amide bond and/or π - π stacking. The physicochemical characteristics of the Pcs were assessed when alone and when in a conjugated system. Both symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted benzothiozole Pcs when quaternised displayed higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields than their unquaternised counterparts. Linkage to carbon nanoparticles (especially to detonation nanodiamonds) had an increasing effect on triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yield. However, a general decrease in singlet oxygen quantum yield on linkage to doped detonation nanodiamonds was associated with the screening effect of DNDs. Heteroatom doped DNDs-Pc nanohybrids have less singlet oxygen than Pcs alone due to molecular structural stability associated with strain that is relatively reduced upon linking Pcs. The In vitro dark cytotoxicity and photodynamic therapy of selected Pc complexes and conjugates against MCF-7 cells was tested. All studied Pc complexes and conjugates showed minimum dark toxicity making them applicable for PDT. When Pc complexes are alone, there is less phototoxicity with >22% cell viability at concentrations ≤ 50 μg/mL relative to conjugates with <22% cell viability at concentrations ≤ 50 μg/mL. There was no direct relationship between PDT and singlet oxygen quantum yields. Nonlinear optical characteristics of complexes was improved upon conjugation of DNDs. Absorbance, input energy, percentage loading, central metal, substituent of Pc and nature of interaction (covalent, noncovalent) are amongst some of the factors that influence nonlinear absorption properties of materials used in this study. All materials followed reverse saturable absorption through two photon absorption mechanism at the excitation wavelength of 532 nm. Aggregates reduce excited state lifetime and Beff under high concentrations/absorbance. A direct relationship between absorbance and Beff of DNDs nanoconjugated systems at low concentrations result in increased optical limiting characteristics of materials. The findings from this work show the importance of linking (nonlinear optics and photodynamic therapy) and doping (photodynamic therapy) photosensitisers such as phthalocyanines and sometimes boron dipyrromethenes onto carbon based nanoparticles for the enhanced characteristics in variable applications. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Matshitse, Refilwe Manyama Stephina
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanodiamonds , Photochemotherapy , Nonlinear optics , Quantum dots
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/188397 , vital:44750 , 10.21504/10962/188397
- Description: The syntheses and characterization of symmetric and asymmetric Pcs functionalized at the peripheral position and sometimes positively charged are reported. The Pcs had either H2, zinc or silicon as central metals and have pyridyloxy, benzothiozole phenoxy, and respective cationic analogues as ring substituents. The Pcs were linked to carbon based nanoparticles such as graphene quantum dots, carbon dots, and detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) via an ester, amide bond and/or π - π stacking. The physicochemical characteristics of the Pcs were assessed when alone and when in a conjugated system. Both symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted benzothiozole Pcs when quaternised displayed higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields than their unquaternised counterparts. Linkage to carbon nanoparticles (especially to detonation nanodiamonds) had an increasing effect on triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yield. However, a general decrease in singlet oxygen quantum yield on linkage to doped detonation nanodiamonds was associated with the screening effect of DNDs. Heteroatom doped DNDs-Pc nanohybrids have less singlet oxygen than Pcs alone due to molecular structural stability associated with strain that is relatively reduced upon linking Pcs. The In vitro dark cytotoxicity and photodynamic therapy of selected Pc complexes and conjugates against MCF-7 cells was tested. All studied Pc complexes and conjugates showed minimum dark toxicity making them applicable for PDT. When Pc complexes are alone, there is less phototoxicity with >22% cell viability at concentrations ≤ 50 μg/mL relative to conjugates with <22% cell viability at concentrations ≤ 50 μg/mL. There was no direct relationship between PDT and singlet oxygen quantum yields. Nonlinear optical characteristics of complexes was improved upon conjugation of DNDs. Absorbance, input energy, percentage loading, central metal, substituent of Pc and nature of interaction (covalent, noncovalent) are amongst some of the factors that influence nonlinear absorption properties of materials used in this study. All materials followed reverse saturable absorption through two photon absorption mechanism at the excitation wavelength of 532 nm. Aggregates reduce excited state lifetime and Beff under high concentrations/absorbance. A direct relationship between absorbance and Beff of DNDs nanoconjugated systems at low concentrations result in increased optical limiting characteristics of materials. The findings from this work show the importance of linking (nonlinear optics and photodynamic therapy) and doping (photodynamic therapy) photosensitisers such as phthalocyanines and sometimes boron dipyrromethenes onto carbon based nanoparticles for the enhanced characteristics in variable applications. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Nonlinear optical properties of metal free thio alkyl and tert-butyl phenoxy phthalocyanine
- Authors: Joseph, Otto
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Nonlinear optics , Phthalocyanines , Time-dependent density functional theory , Magnetic circular dichroism , Reverse saturable absorption (RSA) , Real Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (RT-TDDFT)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190712 , vital:45021
- Description: This work reports on the nonlinear optical properties of tetra - and octa substituted phthalocyanines (Pcs) utilising pentane thiol and 4-tertbutyl phenol as substituents. Their nonlinear absorption coefficient (𝛽) and absorption cross sections were determined using the Z-scan technique with a 10 ns pulse laser at 532 nm. The molecular second order hyperpolarizability Im[γ] was observed and the following Im[γ] trend was obtained for 𝛼-H2Pc(SC5H11)4 isomers, 5.93 ×10−31 (Cs) 2.24×10−32(D2h) > 1.21×10−32(C4h) > 1.05×10−32 (C2v) esu, respectively, in chloroform. Symmetry was seen to have an effect on the observed reverse saturable absorption (RSA) response. Based on the five level model rate equation nonlinear fit of the RSA response curves and Real Time Time Dependant Density Functional Theory (RT-TDDFT) results, the singlet excited state population dynamics was found to play a significant role in producing the observed Im[γ] trend. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
- Authors: Joseph, Otto
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Nonlinear optics , Phthalocyanines , Time-dependent density functional theory , Magnetic circular dichroism , Reverse saturable absorption (RSA) , Real Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (RT-TDDFT)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190712 , vital:45021
- Description: This work reports on the nonlinear optical properties of tetra - and octa substituted phthalocyanines (Pcs) utilising pentane thiol and 4-tertbutyl phenol as substituents. Their nonlinear absorption coefficient (𝛽) and absorption cross sections were determined using the Z-scan technique with a 10 ns pulse laser at 532 nm. The molecular second order hyperpolarizability Im[γ] was observed and the following Im[γ] trend was obtained for 𝛼-H2Pc(SC5H11)4 isomers, 5.93 ×10−31 (Cs) 2.24×10−32(D2h) > 1.21×10−32(C4h) > 1.05×10−32 (C2v) esu, respectively, in chloroform. Symmetry was seen to have an effect on the observed reverse saturable absorption (RSA) response. Based on the five level model rate equation nonlinear fit of the RSA response curves and Real Time Time Dependant Density Functional Theory (RT-TDDFT) results, the singlet excited state population dynamics was found to play a significant role in producing the observed Im[γ] trend. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
Evaluation of metallophthalocyanine functionalized photocatalytic asymmetric polymer membranes for pollution control and antimicrobial activity
- Mafukidze, Donovan Musizvinoda Chidyamurimi
- Authors: Mafukidze, Donovan Musizvinoda Chidyamurimi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Photosensitizing compounds , Water -- Purification -- Photocatalysis , Phthalocyanines , Polymeric membranes , Porphyrins
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171357 , vital:42052 , 10.21504/10962/171357
- Description: The conceptualisation of photosensitizing water treatment polymer membranes using phthalocyanine based photosensitizers is reported in this thesis. The key to successful preparation of stable photoactive polymer membranes was established as the covalent anchorage of the photosensitizer to a polymer, which was proven by singlet oxygen generation by the membranes without photosensitizer deterioration. Despite this limitation, the covalent linkage-incapable unsubstituted zinc (II) phthalocyanine (complex 2) was applied as a nanoconjugate of graphene quantum dots (2π(GQDs)). 2π(GQDs) was formed through π-π stacking, and was then covalently anchored, as a proof of concept. This concept was also applied to 2-(4-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyaninato zinc (II) (complex 3) which is capable of covalent linkage but proved to deteriorate the efficiency of singlet oxygen formation with comparison to the covalent conjugates. Singlet oxygen generation by functionalized polymer membranes rendered them photocatalytic in the degradation of organic pollutants and microorganisms in water. Organic pollutant degradation capability was exemplified by 2π(GQDs) and a porphyrin-phthalocyanine heterodyad (complex 10) functionalized membranes (2π(GQDs)-memb and 10-memb respectively), where a MPc loading of approximately 0.139 μmol MPc/g of membrane was able to achieve a 4-chlorophenol degradation rate of 3.77 × 10−6 mol L−1 min−1 in a second order reaction with an initial 4-chlorophenol concentration of 3.24 × 10−4 mol L−1 for 2π(GQDs)-memb as an example. Antibacterial studies against S.aureus using a quaternized MPc and conjugates of silver triangular nanoprisms with zinc (II) and indium (III) MPcs showed note-worthy improvements in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activity in comparison to the unquaternized MPc precursor, and the free zinc and indium MPcs respectively. Functionalization of polymer membranes with these higher activity photosensitizers translated to the formation of potentially superior biological fouling resistant membranes. The use of porphyrin-phthalocyanine polynuclei arrays (complex 10) in polymer membrane functionalization resulted in the use of a wider wavelength range (white light). The findings from this work as a whole, thus presents the potential applicability of phthalocyanine functionalized polymer membranes in water treatment technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mafukidze, Donovan Musizvinoda Chidyamurimi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Photosensitizing compounds , Water -- Purification -- Photocatalysis , Phthalocyanines , Polymeric membranes , Porphyrins
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171357 , vital:42052 , 10.21504/10962/171357
- Description: The conceptualisation of photosensitizing water treatment polymer membranes using phthalocyanine based photosensitizers is reported in this thesis. The key to successful preparation of stable photoactive polymer membranes was established as the covalent anchorage of the photosensitizer to a polymer, which was proven by singlet oxygen generation by the membranes without photosensitizer deterioration. Despite this limitation, the covalent linkage-incapable unsubstituted zinc (II) phthalocyanine (complex 2) was applied as a nanoconjugate of graphene quantum dots (2π(GQDs)). 2π(GQDs) was formed through π-π stacking, and was then covalently anchored, as a proof of concept. This concept was also applied to 2-(4-carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyaninato zinc (II) (complex 3) which is capable of covalent linkage but proved to deteriorate the efficiency of singlet oxygen formation with comparison to the covalent conjugates. Singlet oxygen generation by functionalized polymer membranes rendered them photocatalytic in the degradation of organic pollutants and microorganisms in water. Organic pollutant degradation capability was exemplified by 2π(GQDs) and a porphyrin-phthalocyanine heterodyad (complex 10) functionalized membranes (2π(GQDs)-memb and 10-memb respectively), where a MPc loading of approximately 0.139 μmol MPc/g of membrane was able to achieve a 4-chlorophenol degradation rate of 3.77 × 10−6 mol L−1 min−1 in a second order reaction with an initial 4-chlorophenol concentration of 3.24 × 10−4 mol L−1 for 2π(GQDs)-memb as an example. Antibacterial studies against S.aureus using a quaternized MPc and conjugates of silver triangular nanoprisms with zinc (II) and indium (III) MPcs showed note-worthy improvements in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) activity in comparison to the unquaternized MPc precursor, and the free zinc and indium MPcs respectively. Functionalization of polymer membranes with these higher activity photosensitizers translated to the formation of potentially superior biological fouling resistant membranes. The use of porphyrin-phthalocyanine polynuclei arrays (complex 10) in polymer membrane functionalization resulted in the use of a wider wavelength range (white light). The findings from this work as a whole, thus presents the potential applicability of phthalocyanine functionalized polymer membranes in water treatment technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Synthesis, spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties of asymmetric A3B type phthalocyanine complexes
- Authors: Mugeza, Rhulani Donney
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Spectrum analysis , Mass spectrometry , Phthalocyanines
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171667 , vital:42108
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of symmetrical and asymmetrical A 3 B type metal free, cobalt and zinc Phthalocyanines (Pc) .A wide range of spectroscopic techniques such as Uv - visible absorption (UV), magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and time correlated single photo n counting spectroscopy (TCSPC) have been used to study the spectroscopic properties of the phthalocyanine complexes. The Z - scan technique was used to comparatively investigate the nonlinear absorption coefficient ( 휷 ) and the nonlinear refraction index ( 풏 ퟐ ) of the synthesized complexes. The following trend was obtained for the synthesized Pc’s in terms of the 휷 values 7.25 × 10 − 10 ( 4b ) > 3.76 × 10 − 10 ( 4a ) > 3.52 × 10 − 10 ( 4c ) > 2.29 × 10 − 10 ( 3c ) > 1.68 × 10 − 10 ( 3a ) > 1.65 × 10 − 10 ( 3b ) mW - 1 . The 휷 values trend of synthesized Pc complexes show that the asymmetrical A 3 B type metal free, cobalt and zinc Pc complexes ( 4a , 4b and 4c ) have larger 휷 values as compared to the octa - substituted symmetrical metal free, cobalt and zinc Pc complexes ( 3a , 3b and 3c ) which is attributed to the low symmetry of the Pc complexes. The five - level model rate equations were used to determine the two photon absorption, excited state absorption and ground state absorption cross sections of the synthesized complexes. The z inc A 3 B type asymmetrical Pc complexes gave the largest two photon absorption and 휎 푒 / 휎 푔 ratio values. This Pc complex could be used in future work to enhance the nonlinear response further by introducing nanomaterials and converting the Pc complex to a binuclear Pc. This work also reports on the density functional theory (DFT) calculations o f dipolar/octupolar contributions in order to study the first order hyperpolarizability of the synthesized Pc complexes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mugeza, Rhulani Donney
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Spectrum analysis , Mass spectrometry , Phthalocyanines
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171667 , vital:42108
- Description: This work reports on the synthesis of symmetrical and asymmetrical A 3 B type metal free, cobalt and zinc Phthalocyanines (Pc) .A wide range of spectroscopic techniques such as Uv - visible absorption (UV), magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and time correlated single photo n counting spectroscopy (TCSPC) have been used to study the spectroscopic properties of the phthalocyanine complexes. The Z - scan technique was used to comparatively investigate the nonlinear absorption coefficient ( 휷 ) and the nonlinear refraction index ( 풏 ퟐ ) of the synthesized complexes. The following trend was obtained for the synthesized Pc’s in terms of the 휷 values 7.25 × 10 − 10 ( 4b ) > 3.76 × 10 − 10 ( 4a ) > 3.52 × 10 − 10 ( 4c ) > 2.29 × 10 − 10 ( 3c ) > 1.68 × 10 − 10 ( 3a ) > 1.65 × 10 − 10 ( 3b ) mW - 1 . The 휷 values trend of synthesized Pc complexes show that the asymmetrical A 3 B type metal free, cobalt and zinc Pc complexes ( 4a , 4b and 4c ) have larger 휷 values as compared to the octa - substituted symmetrical metal free, cobalt and zinc Pc complexes ( 3a , 3b and 3c ) which is attributed to the low symmetry of the Pc complexes. The five - level model rate equations were used to determine the two photon absorption, excited state absorption and ground state absorption cross sections of the synthesized complexes. The z inc A 3 B type asymmetrical Pc complexes gave the largest two photon absorption and 휎 푒 / 휎 푔 ratio values. This Pc complex could be used in future work to enhance the nonlinear response further by introducing nanomaterials and converting the Pc complex to a binuclear Pc. This work also reports on the density functional theory (DFT) calculations o f dipolar/octupolar contributions in order to study the first order hyperpolarizability of the synthesized Pc complexes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The electrocatalytic response of metallophthalocyanines when clicked to electrodes and to nanomaterials
- Authors: Mpeta, Lekhetho Simon
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanostructured materials , Electrocatalysis , Nanoparticles , Environmental chemistry , Electrodes , Organic wastes -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172191 , vital:42174 , 10.21504/10962/172191
- Description: Conjugates of nanomaterials and metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) have been prepared and their electrocatalytic activity studied. The prepared nanomaterials are zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles, reduced graphene oxide nanosheets and semiconductor quantum dots. The MPcs used in this work are cobalt (II) (1a), manganese(III) (1b) and iron (II) (1c) 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)- tetrakis 4-((4-ethynylbenzyl) oxy) phthalocyaninato, 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)- tetrakis(5-pentyn-oxy) cobalt (II) phthalocyaninato (2), 9(10),16(17),23(24)- tris-[4-tert-butylphenoxy)-2- (4-ethylbezyl-oxy) cobalt (II) phthalocyaninato (3), 9(10),16(17),23(24)- tris-[4-tertbutylphenoxy)-2-(pent-4yn-yloxy)] cobalt (II) phthalocyaninato (4), cobalt (II) (5a) and manganese (III) (5b) 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)- tetrakis [4-(4-(5-chloro-1H-benzo [d]imidazol-2-yl)phenoxy] phthalocyaninato and 9(10),16(17),23(24)- tris tert butyl phenoxy- 2- [4-(4-(5-chloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)phenoxy] cobalt (II) phthalocyaninato (6). Some of these MPcs (1a, 3 and 4) were directly clicked on azide grafted electrode, while some (1b, 1c, 2, 5a and 5b) were clicked to azide functionalised nanomaterials and then drop-dried on the electrodes. One phthalocyanine (5b) was drop-dried on the electrode then silver nanoparticles were electrodeposited on it taking advantage of metal-N bond. Scanning electrochemical microscopy, voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are among electrochemical methods used to characterise modified electrodes. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Xray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy were employed to study surface functionalities, morphology and topography of the nanomaterials and complexes. Electrocatalytic activity of the developed materials were studied towards oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol, hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide while the reduction study was based on oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. In general, the conjugates displayed superior catalytic activity when compared to individual materials. Complex 2 alone and when conjugated to zinc oxide nanoparticles were studied for their nonlinear optical behaviour. And the same materials were explored for their hydrazine detection capability. The aim of this study was to develop sensitive, selective and affordable sensors for selected organic waste pollutants. Conjugates were found to achieve the aim of the study compared to when individual materials were employed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mpeta, Lekhetho Simon
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Nanostructured materials , Electrocatalysis , Nanoparticles , Environmental chemistry , Electrodes , Organic wastes -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172191 , vital:42174 , 10.21504/10962/172191
- Description: Conjugates of nanomaterials and metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) have been prepared and their electrocatalytic activity studied. The prepared nanomaterials are zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles, reduced graphene oxide nanosheets and semiconductor quantum dots. The MPcs used in this work are cobalt (II) (1a), manganese(III) (1b) and iron (II) (1c) 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)- tetrakis 4-((4-ethynylbenzyl) oxy) phthalocyaninato, 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)- tetrakis(5-pentyn-oxy) cobalt (II) phthalocyaninato (2), 9(10),16(17),23(24)- tris-[4-tert-butylphenoxy)-2- (4-ethylbezyl-oxy) cobalt (II) phthalocyaninato (3), 9(10),16(17),23(24)- tris-[4-tertbutylphenoxy)-2-(pent-4yn-yloxy)] cobalt (II) phthalocyaninato (4), cobalt (II) (5a) and manganese (III) (5b) 2,9(10),16(17),23(24)- tetrakis [4-(4-(5-chloro-1H-benzo [d]imidazol-2-yl)phenoxy] phthalocyaninato and 9(10),16(17),23(24)- tris tert butyl phenoxy- 2- [4-(4-(5-chloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)phenoxy] cobalt (II) phthalocyaninato (6). Some of these MPcs (1a, 3 and 4) were directly clicked on azide grafted electrode, while some (1b, 1c, 2, 5a and 5b) were clicked to azide functionalised nanomaterials and then drop-dried on the electrodes. One phthalocyanine (5b) was drop-dried on the electrode then silver nanoparticles were electrodeposited on it taking advantage of metal-N bond. Scanning electrochemical microscopy, voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are among electrochemical methods used to characterise modified electrodes. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Xray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy were employed to study surface functionalities, morphology and topography of the nanomaterials and complexes. Electrocatalytic activity of the developed materials were studied towards oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol, hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide while the reduction study was based on oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. In general, the conjugates displayed superior catalytic activity when compared to individual materials. Complex 2 alone and when conjugated to zinc oxide nanoparticles were studied for their nonlinear optical behaviour. And the same materials were explored for their hydrazine detection capability. The aim of this study was to develop sensitive, selective and affordable sensors for selected organic waste pollutants. Conjugates were found to achieve the aim of the study compared to when individual materials were employed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Determination of nonlinear optical properties of phthalocyanine regioisomers using computational models
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrochemistry , Phthalocyanines , Nanoparticles , Nonlinear optics , Nonlinear optical spectroscopy , Refraction
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166197 , vital:41337
- Description: This work investigates the effects of the nonlinear optical properties of four different constitutional isomers (C4h, C2v, Cs, and D2h) of a series of tetrasubstituted phthalocyanines (free-base 3-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanines, free-base 4-4-tertbutylphenoxyether phthalocyanines, SnCl2 tetra substituted 3-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanine, and SnCl2 tetra substituted 4-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanine). The properties investigated were the real and imaginary components of the 3rd order hyperpolarizability, as well as the excited state absorption and refraction cross sections. The investigations were performed with a z-scan over a range of laser beam intensities. This work determined the imaginary component of the 3rd order hyperpolarizability for the free-base and SnCl2 3-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanines and 4-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanines to be highly dependent on the excited state cross sections. The refraction caused due to the real component of the 3rd order hyperpolarizability of the phthalocyanines was also investigated, however, the values found were strongly dependent on the laser beam intensity and the cause of this was investigated. A Five-level model was developed and run on GPGPU computing devices in order to isolate the absorption and refractive cross sections. Theeffects of the regio substitution on the excited state cross sections were also investigated, and the 1st singlet excited state and 1st triplet state absorption cross sections were calculated for all constitutional isomers. It was found that the symmetry of the constitutional isomers have a disproportionately large effect on the excited state absorption when compared to the ground state absorption. The nonlinear refractive properties of all constitutional isomers were also investigated, and the values of the parametric susceptibility are reported herein. The nonlinear refraction was found to have less effect than was seen in the nonlinear absorption. The 1st singlet excited state and 1st triplet state refractive cross sections of all constitutional isomer was determined. The results indicated that if more than one excited state was present and contributing to the nonlinear refraction, then more data than was collected here would be required. However, the 1st singlet excited state cross section were successfully determined for the free-base constitutional isomers. This work concluded that the region substitution affected the excited states more than the ground state.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrochemistry , Phthalocyanines , Nanoparticles , Nonlinear optics , Nonlinear optical spectroscopy , Refraction
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166197 , vital:41337
- Description: This work investigates the effects of the nonlinear optical properties of four different constitutional isomers (C4h, C2v, Cs, and D2h) of a series of tetrasubstituted phthalocyanines (free-base 3-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanines, free-base 4-4-tertbutylphenoxyether phthalocyanines, SnCl2 tetra substituted 3-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanine, and SnCl2 tetra substituted 4-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanine). The properties investigated were the real and imaginary components of the 3rd order hyperpolarizability, as well as the excited state absorption and refraction cross sections. The investigations were performed with a z-scan over a range of laser beam intensities. This work determined the imaginary component of the 3rd order hyperpolarizability for the free-base and SnCl2 3-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanines and 4-4-tert-butylphenoxyether phthalocyanines to be highly dependent on the excited state cross sections. The refraction caused due to the real component of the 3rd order hyperpolarizability of the phthalocyanines was also investigated, however, the values found were strongly dependent on the laser beam intensity and the cause of this was investigated. A Five-level model was developed and run on GPGPU computing devices in order to isolate the absorption and refractive cross sections. Theeffects of the regio substitution on the excited state cross sections were also investigated, and the 1st singlet excited state and 1st triplet state absorption cross sections were calculated for all constitutional isomers. It was found that the symmetry of the constitutional isomers have a disproportionately large effect on the excited state absorption when compared to the ground state absorption. The nonlinear refractive properties of all constitutional isomers were also investigated, and the values of the parametric susceptibility are reported herein. The nonlinear refraction was found to have less effect than was seen in the nonlinear absorption. The 1st singlet excited state and 1st triplet state refractive cross sections of all constitutional isomer was determined. The results indicated that if more than one excited state was present and contributing to the nonlinear refraction, then more data than was collected here would be required. However, the 1st singlet excited state cross section were successfully determined for the free-base constitutional isomers. This work concluded that the region substitution affected the excited states more than the ground state.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Development of graphene materials and phthalocyanines for application in dye-sensitized solar cells
- Authors: Chindeka, Francis
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cells , Graphene , Phthalocyanines , Molecular orbitals , Impedance spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166092 , vital:41328
- Description: Two sets of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated. In the first set, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated by incorporating graphene materials as catalysts at the counter electrode. Platinum was also used as a catalyst for comparative purposes. Different phthalocyanines: hydroxyl indium tetracarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine (1), chloro indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (2) and dibenzoic acid silicon phthalocyanine (3) were used as dyes. Complex 3 gave the highest power conversion efficiency (η) of 3.19% when using nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (NrGONS) as a catalyst at the counter electrode, and TiO2 containing rGONS at the anode. The value obtained is close to 3.8% obtained when using Pt catalyst instead of NrGONS at the cathode, thus confirming that NrGONS is a promising candidate to replace the more expensive Pt. The study also shows that placing rGONS on both the anode and cathode improves efficiency. In the second set, DSSCs were fabricated by using 2(3,5-biscarboxyphenoxy), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-tri(tertbutyl) phthalocyaninato Cu (4) and Zn (5) complexes as dyes on the ITO-TiO2 photoanodes containing reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGONS) or nitrogen-doped rGONS (NrGONS). The evaluation of the assembled DSSCs revealed that using ITO-TiO2-NrGONS-CuPc (4) photoanode had the highest fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (ɳ) of 69 % and 4.36 % respectively. These results show that the asymmetrical phthalocyanine complexes (4) and (5) showed significant improvement on the performance of the DSSC compared to previous work on symmetrical carboxylated phthalocyanines with ɳ = 3.19%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Chindeka, Francis
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Dye-sensitized solar cells , Graphene , Phthalocyanines , Molecular orbitals , Impedance spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166092 , vital:41328
- Description: Two sets of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated. In the first set, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated by incorporating graphene materials as catalysts at the counter electrode. Platinum was also used as a catalyst for comparative purposes. Different phthalocyanines: hydroxyl indium tetracarboxyphenoxy phthalocyanine (1), chloro indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (2) and dibenzoic acid silicon phthalocyanine (3) were used as dyes. Complex 3 gave the highest power conversion efficiency (η) of 3.19% when using nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (NrGONS) as a catalyst at the counter electrode, and TiO2 containing rGONS at the anode. The value obtained is close to 3.8% obtained when using Pt catalyst instead of NrGONS at the cathode, thus confirming that NrGONS is a promising candidate to replace the more expensive Pt. The study also shows that placing rGONS on both the anode and cathode improves efficiency. In the second set, DSSCs were fabricated by using 2(3,5-biscarboxyphenoxy), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-tri(tertbutyl) phthalocyaninato Cu (4) and Zn (5) complexes as dyes on the ITO-TiO2 photoanodes containing reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGONS) or nitrogen-doped rGONS (NrGONS). The evaluation of the assembled DSSCs revealed that using ITO-TiO2-NrGONS-CuPc (4) photoanode had the highest fill factor (FF) and power conversion efficiency (ɳ) of 69 % and 4.36 % respectively. These results show that the asymmetrical phthalocyanine complexes (4) and (5) showed significant improvement on the performance of the DSSC compared to previous work on symmetrical carboxylated phthalocyanines with ɳ = 3.19%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Effect of the nature of nanoparticles on the photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy of phthalocyanines
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Nanoparticles , Phthalocyanines , Anti-infective agents -- Therapeutic use , Photochemotherapy , Photochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123107 , vital:35406
- Description: In this work, the syntheses and characterisation of Zn monocaffeic acid tri–tert–butyl phthalocyanine (1), Zn monocarboxyphenoxy tri– tert–butylphenoxyl phthalocyanine (2), tetrakis phenoxy N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine indium (III) chloride (3) and tetrakis N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine indium (III) chloride (5) are presented. Complexes 3 and 5 were further quartenised with 1,3- propanesultone to form corresponding complexes (4) and (6), respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 were covalently linked to amino functionalised nanoparticles (NPs). Complexes 3, 4, 5 and 6 where linked to oleic acid/oleylamine capped (OLA/OLM) silver-iron dimers (Ag-Fe3O4 OLA/OLM) and silver-iron core shell (Ag@Fe3O4 OLA/OLM) NPs via interaction between the nanoparticles and the imino group on the phthalocyanines. The phthalocyanine-NP conjugates afforded an increase in triplet quantum yields with a corresponding decrease in fluorescence quantum yield as compared to the phthalocyanine complexes alone. Complexes 3, 4 and their conjugates were then used for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on E. coli. The zwitterionic photosensitiser 4 and its conjugates showed better efficiency for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy compared to their neutral counterparts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Nanoparticles , Phthalocyanines , Anti-infective agents -- Therapeutic use , Photochemotherapy , Photochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123107 , vital:35406
- Description: In this work, the syntheses and characterisation of Zn monocaffeic acid tri–tert–butyl phthalocyanine (1), Zn monocarboxyphenoxy tri– tert–butylphenoxyl phthalocyanine (2), tetrakis phenoxy N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine indium (III) chloride (3) and tetrakis N,N-dimethyl-4-(methylimino) phthalocyanine indium (III) chloride (5) are presented. Complexes 3 and 5 were further quartenised with 1,3- propanesultone to form corresponding complexes (4) and (6), respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 were covalently linked to amino functionalised nanoparticles (NPs). Complexes 3, 4, 5 and 6 where linked to oleic acid/oleylamine capped (OLA/OLM) silver-iron dimers (Ag-Fe3O4 OLA/OLM) and silver-iron core shell (Ag@Fe3O4 OLA/OLM) NPs via interaction between the nanoparticles and the imino group on the phthalocyanines. The phthalocyanine-NP conjugates afforded an increase in triplet quantum yields with a corresponding decrease in fluorescence quantum yield as compared to the phthalocyanine complexes alone. Complexes 3, 4 and their conjugates were then used for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy on E. coli. The zwitterionic photosensitiser 4 and its conjugates showed better efficiency for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy compared to their neutral counterparts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Metallophthalocyanines linked to metal nanoparticles and folic acid for use in photodynamic therapy of cancer and photoinactivation of bacterial microorganisms.
- Authors: Matlou, Gauta Gold
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cancer -- Photochemotherapy , Nanoparticles , Phthalocyanines , Anti-infective agents -- Therapeutic use , Photochemotherapy , Photochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166540 , vital:41377
- Description: This thesis presents on the synthesis and characterization of novel asymmetric and symmetrical metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) substituted with carboxylic acid functional groups and centrally metallated with zinc and indium. The MPcs are further covalently linked to cysteine capped silver nanoparticles (cys-AgNPs), amino functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (AMNPs) and folic acid (FA) through an amide bond between the carboxylic group of MPcs and the amino group of FA, cys-AgNPs or AMNPs. The covalent linkage of MPcs to FA improved the water solubility of MPcs and allowed for singlet oxygen quantum yield determination in water. Asymmetric MPcs and their conjugates were found to have improved photochemical and photophysical properties compared to symmetrical MPcs and their conjugates. The heavy atom effect of AMNPs and AgNPs improved the triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields of MPcs. MPcs and their conjugates (MPc-FA, MPc-AMNPs, MPc-AgNPs) were found to have lower in vitro dark cytotoxicity and higher photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The water soluble MPc-FA had better PDT activity when compared to MPc-AMNPs due to the active targeting of folic acid-folate binding on cancer cell surface. MPcs and MPc-AgNPs conjugates also showed excellent in vitro cytotoxicity on S. aureus under light irradiation compared to dark cytotoxicity. The photosensitizing properties of MPcs and their conjugates are demonstrated for the first time in this thesis, both on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) through photodynamic therapy and on microorganisms (S. aureus) through photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Matlou, Gauta Gold
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Cancer -- Photochemotherapy , Nanoparticles , Phthalocyanines , Anti-infective agents -- Therapeutic use , Photochemotherapy , Photochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166540 , vital:41377
- Description: This thesis presents on the synthesis and characterization of novel asymmetric and symmetrical metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) substituted with carboxylic acid functional groups and centrally metallated with zinc and indium. The MPcs are further covalently linked to cysteine capped silver nanoparticles (cys-AgNPs), amino functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (AMNPs) and folic acid (FA) through an amide bond between the carboxylic group of MPcs and the amino group of FA, cys-AgNPs or AMNPs. The covalent linkage of MPcs to FA improved the water solubility of MPcs and allowed for singlet oxygen quantum yield determination in water. Asymmetric MPcs and their conjugates were found to have improved photochemical and photophysical properties compared to symmetrical MPcs and their conjugates. The heavy atom effect of AMNPs and AgNPs improved the triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields of MPcs. MPcs and their conjugates (MPc-FA, MPc-AMNPs, MPc-AgNPs) were found to have lower in vitro dark cytotoxicity and higher photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The water soluble MPc-FA had better PDT activity when compared to MPc-AMNPs due to the active targeting of folic acid-folate binding on cancer cell surface. MPcs and MPc-AgNPs conjugates also showed excellent in vitro cytotoxicity on S. aureus under light irradiation compared to dark cytotoxicity. The photosensitizing properties of MPcs and their conjugates are demonstrated for the first time in this thesis, both on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) through photodynamic therapy and on microorganisms (S. aureus) through photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Photocatalysis of 4-chloro and 4-nonylphenols using novel symmetric phthalocyanines and asymmetric porphyrin supported on polyacrylonitrite nanofibres
- Authors: Jones, Benjamin Martin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Nanoparticles , Phthalocyanines , Electrospinning , Porphyrins , Nanofibers , Photocatalysis , Photocatalysis -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164770 , vital:41163
- Description: This work explores the synthesis and characterisation of novel symmetrical phthalocyanines and novel asymmetric porphyrins that have been embedded or linked respectively,and electrospun into fibres for application in the photocatalysis of environmental pollutants. The phthalocyanines contain pyrrole moieties without hetero atom linkers to maintain a rigid structure. The porphyrin contains a carboxy moiety utilized to construct an amide bond between the complex and the polymer prior to the spinning process. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (HNMR)Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), MALDI-TOF and UV-vis spectroscopy. The general trends of fluorescence, triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields are described as well as their appropriate lifetimes. The photocatalytic activity of phthalocyanine embedded fibres were compared against those that had been dyed. Unfortunately, during the degradation process, the dyed fibres leeched compound and the studies could not be continued. It was seen that the porphyrin fibres linked to the polymer showed the most efficient photocatalytic activity against 4-cholorphenol and 4-nonylphenol due to irradiation at lower wavelengths consequently having higher frequencies and transferring more energy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Jones, Benjamin Martin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Nanoparticles , Phthalocyanines , Electrospinning , Porphyrins , Nanofibers , Photocatalysis , Photocatalysis -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164770 , vital:41163
- Description: This work explores the synthesis and characterisation of novel symmetrical phthalocyanines and novel asymmetric porphyrins that have been embedded or linked respectively,and electrospun into fibres for application in the photocatalysis of environmental pollutants. The phthalocyanines contain pyrrole moieties without hetero atom linkers to maintain a rigid structure. The porphyrin contains a carboxy moiety utilized to construct an amide bond between the complex and the polymer prior to the spinning process. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (HNMR)Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), MALDI-TOF and UV-vis spectroscopy. The general trends of fluorescence, triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields are described as well as their appropriate lifetimes. The photocatalytic activity of phthalocyanine embedded fibres were compared against those that had been dyed. Unfortunately, during the degradation process, the dyed fibres leeched compound and the studies could not be continued. It was seen that the porphyrin fibres linked to the polymer showed the most efficient photocatalytic activity against 4-cholorphenol and 4-nonylphenol due to irradiation at lower wavelengths consequently having higher frequencies and transferring more energy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Symmetry and asymmetry in electrocatalysis: enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of phthalocyanines through synergy with doped graphene quantum dots
- Nkhahle, Reitumetse Precious
- Authors: Nkhahle, Reitumetse Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Quantum dots , Graphene
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117585 , vital:34529
- Description: An exploration on the enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity of phthalocyanines (Pcs) through coupling with a series of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is undertaken. The preliminary studies using symmetrical Pcs, a cobalt and an iron chloride tetra substituted diethylaminophenoxy Pc (complexes 1 and 2), for the electro-oxidation of nitrite revealed through the various sequential modifications that doped GQDs fare better than their pristine counterparts with respect to improving the electrocatalytic behaviour of Pcs, in particular, the nitrogen-doped GQDs (NGQDs). Following up on this, a series of asymmetric Pc complexes; 2,9,16-tris-(4-tert-butylphenoxy) mono carboxyphenoxy phthalocyanato cobalt (II) (3), 2,9,16-tris-(4-tert-butylphenoxy) mono aminophenoxy phthalocyanato cobalt (II) (4), 2,9,16-tris-(3-diethylamino)phenoxy) mono carboxyphenoxy phthalocyanato cobalt (II) (5) and 2,9,16-tris-(3-diethylamino)phenoxy) mono aminophenoxy phthalocyanato cobalt (II) (6) was prepared in which push-pull systems were compared to other asymmetric complexes that lack this effect towards the electrocatalytic sensing of hydrazine. All asymmetric complexes (3-6) were π-stacked to the NGQDs while those with an NH2 group (4 and 6), were also covalently linked to the NGQDs. These complexes and their corresponding conjugates were characterized accordingly and applied as electrocatalysts in the oxidation of hydrazine. The electrochemical studies revealed that π π stacking yields better responses (higher sensitivities and lower limits of detection) than covalent linking because there are less forces acting on the graphene network. Covalent linking introduces both tensile and compressive forces which in turn results in an increase in the ID/IG ratio and that is unfavourable for electrocatalysis. In comparing the electrodes composed of the π-stacked conjugates to those altered through sequential modifications, despite the conditions not being the same, it can be inferred that the magnitude of the electrostatic forces between the Pcs and the GQDs also plays a significant role in electrocatalysis. The π-stacked conjugates, owing to the manner in which they were prepared, have stronger electrostatic forces acting between the Pc and GQDs hence they were able to elicit a better electrochemical response than the sequentially modified electrodes. In addition to that, it appears that asymmetric Pcs are better electrocatalysts in comparison to the symmetric Pcs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nkhahle, Reitumetse Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Quantum dots , Graphene
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/117585 , vital:34529
- Description: An exploration on the enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity of phthalocyanines (Pcs) through coupling with a series of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is undertaken. The preliminary studies using symmetrical Pcs, a cobalt and an iron chloride tetra substituted diethylaminophenoxy Pc (complexes 1 and 2), for the electro-oxidation of nitrite revealed through the various sequential modifications that doped GQDs fare better than their pristine counterparts with respect to improving the electrocatalytic behaviour of Pcs, in particular, the nitrogen-doped GQDs (NGQDs). Following up on this, a series of asymmetric Pc complexes; 2,9,16-tris-(4-tert-butylphenoxy) mono carboxyphenoxy phthalocyanato cobalt (II) (3), 2,9,16-tris-(4-tert-butylphenoxy) mono aminophenoxy phthalocyanato cobalt (II) (4), 2,9,16-tris-(3-diethylamino)phenoxy) mono carboxyphenoxy phthalocyanato cobalt (II) (5) and 2,9,16-tris-(3-diethylamino)phenoxy) mono aminophenoxy phthalocyanato cobalt (II) (6) was prepared in which push-pull systems were compared to other asymmetric complexes that lack this effect towards the electrocatalytic sensing of hydrazine. All asymmetric complexes (3-6) were π-stacked to the NGQDs while those with an NH2 group (4 and 6), were also covalently linked to the NGQDs. These complexes and their corresponding conjugates were characterized accordingly and applied as electrocatalysts in the oxidation of hydrazine. The electrochemical studies revealed that π π stacking yields better responses (higher sensitivities and lower limits of detection) than covalent linking because there are less forces acting on the graphene network. Covalent linking introduces both tensile and compressive forces which in turn results in an increase in the ID/IG ratio and that is unfavourable for electrocatalysis. In comparing the electrodes composed of the π-stacked conjugates to those altered through sequential modifications, despite the conditions not being the same, it can be inferred that the magnitude of the electrostatic forces between the Pcs and the GQDs also plays a significant role in electrocatalysis. The π-stacked conjugates, owing to the manner in which they were prepared, have stronger electrostatic forces acting between the Pc and GQDs hence they were able to elicit a better electrochemical response than the sequentially modified electrodes. In addition to that, it appears that asymmetric Pcs are better electrocatalysts in comparison to the symmetric Pcs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Synthesis, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activities of indium and zinc phthalocyanines when incorporated into Pluronic polymer micelles
- Authors: Motloung, Banele Mike
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Indium , Zinc , Phthalocyanines , Polymers , Photochemotherapy , Micelles
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167529 , vital:41489
- Description: This thesis reports on the syntheses, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activities of symmetrical metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) when alone or when incorporated into Pluronic polymer micelles. The Pcs contain either zinc or indium as central metals and have phenyldiazenylphenoxy, pyridine-2-yloxy and benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio as ring substituents. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques were used to confirm the formation MPcs with micelles. The photophysics and photochemistry of the Pcs were assessed when alone and with micelles. All the studied Pcs showed good photophysicochemical behavior with relatively high triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields corresponding to their low fluorescence quantum yields. The Pcs with indium in their central cavity exhibited higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields in comparison to their zinc counterparts due to the heavy atom effect obtained from the former. The in vitro dark cytotoxicity and photodynamic therapy of the Pc complexes and conjugates against MCF7 cells was tested. All studied Pc complexes alone and with micelles showed minimum dark toxicity making them applicable for PDT. All complexes displayed good phototoxicity < 50% cell viability (except for complex 2 > 50% cell viability) at concentrations ≤100 μg/mL, however the conjugates showed < 45% cell viability at concentrations ≤ 100 μg/mL, probably due to the small micellar size and EPR effect. The findings from this work show the importance of incorporating photosensitizers such as phthalocyanines into Pluronic polymers micelles and making them water soluble and ultimately improving their photodynamic effect.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Motloung, Banele Mike
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Indium , Zinc , Phthalocyanines , Polymers , Photochemotherapy , Micelles
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167529 , vital:41489
- Description: This thesis reports on the syntheses, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activities of symmetrical metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) when alone or when incorporated into Pluronic polymer micelles. The Pcs contain either zinc or indium as central metals and have phenyldiazenylphenoxy, pyridine-2-yloxy and benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio as ring substituents. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques were used to confirm the formation MPcs with micelles. The photophysics and photochemistry of the Pcs were assessed when alone and with micelles. All the studied Pcs showed good photophysicochemical behavior with relatively high triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields corresponding to their low fluorescence quantum yields. The Pcs with indium in their central cavity exhibited higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields in comparison to their zinc counterparts due to the heavy atom effect obtained from the former. The in vitro dark cytotoxicity and photodynamic therapy of the Pc complexes and conjugates against MCF7 cells was tested. All studied Pc complexes alone and with micelles showed minimum dark toxicity making them applicable for PDT. All complexes displayed good phototoxicity < 50% cell viability (except for complex 2 > 50% cell viability) at concentrations ≤100 μg/mL, however the conjugates showed < 45% cell viability at concentrations ≤ 100 μg/mL, probably due to the small micellar size and EPR effect. The findings from this work show the importance of incorporating photosensitizers such as phthalocyanines into Pluronic polymers micelles and making them water soluble and ultimately improving their photodynamic effect.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Effect of substituents on the photophysical properties and nonlinear optical properties of asymmetrical zinc(II) phthalocyanine when conjugated to semiconductor quantum dots
- Authors: Mgidlana, Sithi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nonlinear optics , Quantum dots , Phthalocyanines , Zinc
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97152 , vital:31404
- Description: Various characterization techniques have been used to characterize the synthesized asymmetrical zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPc) derivatives. Techniques include Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry, matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALD-TOF MS), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), elemental analysis and Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR). The complexes are covalently linked to core/shell and core/shell/shell semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs) via amide bond formation. Photophysical properties of complexes improved in the presence of semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs). SQDs contain cadmium/telluride (CdTe) as core, coated in the first shell with zinc selenide (ZnSe) or zinc sulfide (ZnS) and with zinc oxide (ZnO) in second shell. The photophysical properties of the phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes and their conjugates with SQDs are investigated in solution. Triplet quantum yields of complexes improved in the presence of semiconductor quantum dots. The optical limiting behaviour of the Pc complexes and conjugates are assessed using the open aperture Z–scan technique at laser excitation wavelength of 532 nm with 10 ns pulse. Pcs complexes showed good nonlinear optical response with higher nonlinear absorption coefficient. The conjugates afforded higher nonlinear absorption coefficient than Pc complexes alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mgidlana, Sithi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nonlinear optics , Quantum dots , Phthalocyanines , Zinc
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97152 , vital:31404
- Description: Various characterization techniques have been used to characterize the synthesized asymmetrical zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPc) derivatives. Techniques include Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry, matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALD-TOF MS), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), elemental analysis and Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR). The complexes are covalently linked to core/shell and core/shell/shell semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs) via amide bond formation. Photophysical properties of complexes improved in the presence of semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs). SQDs contain cadmium/telluride (CdTe) as core, coated in the first shell with zinc selenide (ZnSe) or zinc sulfide (ZnS) and with zinc oxide (ZnO) in second shell. The photophysical properties of the phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes and their conjugates with SQDs are investigated in solution. Triplet quantum yields of complexes improved in the presence of semiconductor quantum dots. The optical limiting behaviour of the Pc complexes and conjugates are assessed using the open aperture Z–scan technique at laser excitation wavelength of 532 nm with 10 ns pulse. Pcs complexes showed good nonlinear optical response with higher nonlinear absorption coefficient. The conjugates afforded higher nonlinear absorption coefficient than Pc complexes alone.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Nonlinear optical responses of targeted phthalocyanines when conjugated with nanomaterials or fabricated into polymer thin films
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa Njoku
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electrochemistry , Phthalocyanines , Nanoparticles , Bioconjugates , Thin films , Polymers , Nonlinear optics , Nonlinear optical spectroscopy , Nanostructured materials , Raman effect
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71625 , vital:29926
- Description: A number of zinc, gallium and indium metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) with diverse substituents have been synthesized and characterized using various characterization tools such as proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, Fourier-transformed infra-red (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible (Uv-vis) spectrophotometry, magnetic circular dichroism and CHNS elemental analysis. The time dependent density functional theory was employed to probe the origin of spectroscopic information in these complexes. Complexes with gallium and indium as central metal showed higher triplet quantum yield compared to the zinc derivatives. Some of the MPcs were covalently linked to nanomaterials such as CdTe, CdTeSe, CdTeSe/ZnO, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as well as metallic gold (AuNPs) and silver (AgNPs) nanoparticles. Others were either surface assembled onto AuNPs and AgNPs or embedded into polystyrene as polymer source. The phthalocyanine-nanomaterial composites (Pc-NMCs) were characterized with FT-IR, UV-visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The thickness of the thin films was determined by utilization of the knife edge attachment of the A Bruker D8 Discover X-ray diffraction. The optical limiting properties (using the open-aperture Z-scan technique) of the MPcs and the Pc-NMCs were investigated. The investigated MPcs complexes generally showed good optical limiting properties. The nonlinear optical response of the MPcs were improved in the presence of nanomaterials such as the semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs), graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as well as metallic AuNPs and AgNPs with MPc-QDs showing the best optical limiting behavior. The optical limiting properties of the MPcs were greatly enhanced in the presence of polymer thin films.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Nwaji, Njemuwa Njoku
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electrochemistry , Phthalocyanines , Nanoparticles , Bioconjugates , Thin films , Polymers , Nonlinear optics , Nonlinear optical spectroscopy , Nanostructured materials , Raman effect
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71625 , vital:29926
- Description: A number of zinc, gallium and indium metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) with diverse substituents have been synthesized and characterized using various characterization tools such as proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, Fourier-transformed infra-red (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible (Uv-vis) spectrophotometry, magnetic circular dichroism and CHNS elemental analysis. The time dependent density functional theory was employed to probe the origin of spectroscopic information in these complexes. Complexes with gallium and indium as central metal showed higher triplet quantum yield compared to the zinc derivatives. Some of the MPcs were covalently linked to nanomaterials such as CdTe, CdTeSe, CdTeSe/ZnO, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as well as metallic gold (AuNPs) and silver (AgNPs) nanoparticles. Others were either surface assembled onto AuNPs and AgNPs or embedded into polystyrene as polymer source. The phthalocyanine-nanomaterial composites (Pc-NMCs) were characterized with FT-IR, UV-visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The thickness of the thin films was determined by utilization of the knife edge attachment of the A Bruker D8 Discover X-ray diffraction. The optical limiting properties (using the open-aperture Z-scan technique) of the MPcs and the Pc-NMCs were investigated. The investigated MPcs complexes generally showed good optical limiting properties. The nonlinear optical response of the MPcs were improved in the presence of nanomaterials such as the semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs), graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as well as metallic AuNPs and AgNPs with MPc-QDs showing the best optical limiting behavior. The optical limiting properties of the MPcs were greatly enhanced in the presence of polymer thin films.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019