5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridinio)porphyrin tetra(p toluenesulfonate) (TMPyP) is a positively charged, two-photon dye, that can bind to DNA in cell cultures and affect the cell viability. Long term encapsulation of TMPyP by nanoparticles is reported to prevent the dye from direct contact with cells, but the dye can still kill the cells via singlet-oxygen production on exposure to infrared light. Nanostructured catalyst of platinum nanoparticles supported on TMPyP functionalized graphene is prepared by hydrothermal polyol process. TMPyP is reported to show excellent 1O2 luminescence signals on incubation with the fungus, Candida albicans. On photoexcitation, TMPyP undergoes charge-transfer interaction with chemically reduced graphene oxide. It is also reported to be a promising photodynamic therapy photosensitizer.
