Nanofiber-based thin films hybridized with phthalocyanines: Photocatalytic oxidation of tetracene particles and antimicrobial activity

Filters that can remove microparticles are essential for various applications such as masks. Nanofibers (NFs) can be layered to create fine porous meshes and hybridized with functional organic molecules for added functionality, but simple fabrication methods are needed. This study explored a method of combining phthalocyanines with NF-based thin films (NF–Pc thin films) that can capture particles like bacteria or PM2.5. The NF–Pc thin films were made by casting or spraying methanol/water (5:1 v/v) solutions containing Pcs onto NF-based films. The Pcs and polymers were optimized, and a polyurethane-NF thin film with tert-butyl substituted SiPc was developed as a new singlet oxygen ([Formula: see text] generator. This material can kill Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria and oxidize one of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons sometimes found in PM2.5. This study is important for creating new singlet oxygen generators and offers a new approach for preparing photofunctional molecule-based materials.