Fluorescence and phosphorescence of tetracarboxylated ZnPc–perylene diimide organic systems in highly acidic media

Key Points

• This research aims to explore the excited-state properties of ZnPc and PDI in acidic conditions for applications in photodynamic therapy.
• Co-assembly of tetracarboxylated zinc phthalocyanine and perylene diimide in acidic TFA/H2O medium.
• Measurement of fluorescence and phosphorescence.
• Analysis of excited-state lifetimes.
• Tunable excited-state lifetimes achieved through co-assembly in acidic media.
• Observation of room-temperature phosphorescence.
• Proposed design principles for efficient organic photosensitizers.