Synthesis and Characterization of Porphyrin-Based GUMBOS and NanoGUMBOS as Improved Photosensitizers

Porphyrin-based GUMBOS and nanoGUMBOS were synthesized for potential application as improved photosensitizing materials. In this study, porphyrin dyes [meso-tetra­(4-carboxyphenyl)­porphine (TCPP) and zinc­(II) meso-tetra­(4-carboxyphenyl)­porphine (Zn-TCPP)] were selected as anions, and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium (P66614) was employed as a cation. The resulting [P66614]4[TCPP] and [P66614]4[Zn-TCPP] GUMBOS (group of uniform materials based on organic salts) provided high photostability and excellent thermal stability for these compounds. NanoGUMBOS, i.e., nanomaterials derived from GUMBOS, were synthesized using reprecipitation and ion association methods. The surface charges of these nanoparticles were tuned from positive to negative through use of an ion association synthetic method without the need for additives or stabilizers. When compared to the parent dyes, nanoGUMBOS exhibited excellent photodynamic properties for potential applications as photosensitizers. Evaluation of the electrochemical properties of these GUMBOS suggest that these compounds can be applied as photosensitizers in optoelectronic devices such as dye-sensitized solar cells.