Moderate microwave-assisted preparation of phthalocyanine-based carbon quantum dots for improved photo-inactivation of bacteria

A pacific synthetic tactic has been used to provide the phthalocyanine-based carbon quantum dots (ZnPc-CQDs) via microwave thermolysis of zinc(II) tetra-amino-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and citric acid (CA) at 2 min. The ZnPc-CQDs with a granule size of around 5 nm diameter exhibited the prominent stability and water dispersion distinction of carbon quantum dots, as well as the picturesque properties of spectrum. ZnPc-CQDs proved synergistic photothermal outcomes and ROS generation capability, and exhibited potent photoinactivtion for bacteria. ZnPc-CQDs can be anchored to the cell membrane and accumulate in bacterial cells while destroying their integrity. Therefore, ZnPc-CQDs have the potential for PDT/PTT application and provides a new paradigm for antibacterial therapy, which has broad prospects for future biomedical applications.