Effect of a Polymer Stabilizer’s Structure on the Spectral and Morphological Characteristics of Radachlorine in Selenium-Containing Nanosystems

Abstract

UV/visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and luminescence are used in comparative studies of the new triple selenium-containing nanosystems (SCNs) based on photosensitizer Radachlorine (Rd) and amphiphilic molecular brushes (graft copolymers) with polyimide or cellulose main chains and polymethacrylic acid (PMAC) side chains. The effect a graft copolymer’s structure has on the spectral and dimensional characteristics of amphiphilic molecular brushes loaded with selenium and Rd NPs is established. It is found that amphiphilic molecular brushes prevent the association of selenium NPs in the solution, producing discrete spherical nanostructures. It is suggested that triple SCNs are due mainly to steric stabilization of the selenium NPs by macromolecules of the brushes and the embedding of the selenium NPs inside the Rd porphyrin ring according to the type of metal–porphyrin complexes. The diameter of the selenium nanoparticles and the quantum yield of luminescence are calculated for SCNs.