Optical behaviors of ZnO-porphyrin conjugates and their potential applications for cancer treatment

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized and conjugated to the porphyrin derivative, meso-tetra (o-amino phenyl) porphyrin (MTAP). Energy transfer from the ZnO nanoparticles to MTAP was investigated and the energy transfer rate was measured to be as high as 83%. Compared with MTAP and ZnO alone, ZnO-MTAP conjugates have low toxicity under dark conditions but high phototoxicity in the human ovarian carcinoma cell line NIH:OVCAR-3. The results indicate that ZnO-MTAP conjugates may be useful in photodynamic therapy for deep cancer treatment.