Graphene-supported poly[iron (II) tetraphenylporphyrin] hybrid fabricated by a solvothermally assisted π–π assembly method and its application for the detection of dopamine

A bioinspired hollow g-C3N4-CuPc heterostructure with remarkable SERS enhancement and photosynthesis-mimicking properties for theranostic applications

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based on chemical mechanism (CM) has great potential for superior stability and selectivity. Moreover, a bioinspired CM-Raman substrate-Raman reporter system with charge separation and electron transport nature provides thylakoid-mimicking potential for multifunctional applications. Herein, hollow carbon nitride nanospheres hierarchically assembled with a well-oriented copper(ii) phthalocyanine layer and hyaluronic acid (HCNs@CuPc@HA) were designed as a light-harvesting nanocomposite and photosynthesis-mimicking nanoscaffold that enhance both CM-SERS and photoredox catalysis. Remarkable SERS enhancement was achieved due to the strengthened short-range substrate–molecule interaction, enriched CuPc molecule loading and enhanced light–mater interactions. Meanwhile, the uniform CuPc molecule film mimics a photo-pigment to accelerate the near infrared (NIR)-oxygen generation and photodynamic catalysis of photosynthetic membrane-like HCNs. The experimental findings were further validated by numerical theory analysis. The greatly enhanced SERS signal and photosynthetic-mimicking properties of the heterostructure (denoted as HCNCHs) were successfully employed for circulating tumor cell (CTC) diagnosis and SERS imaging-guided cancer catalytic therapy in tumor xenograft models.

Thylakoid-inspired HCNs@CuPc@HA is designed as a light-harvesting nanocomposite and photosynthesis-mimicking nanoscaffold to simultaneously enhance chemical mechanism-based SERS and photosynthesis-mimicking catalysis for theranostics application.

Porphyrins in troubled times: a spotlight on porphyrins and their metal complexes for explosives testing and CBRN defense

A critical perspective on (metallo)porphyrins in security-related applications: the past, present and future of explosives detection, CBRN defense, and beyond.

Porphyrinoids for Chemical Sensor Applications

Porphyrins and related macrocycles have been intensively exploited as sensing materials in chemical sensors, since in these devices they mimic most of their biological functions, such as reversible binding, catalytic activation, and optical changes. Such a magnificent bouquet of properties allows applying porphyrin derivatives to different transducers, ranging from nanogravimetric to optical devices, also enabling the realization of multifunctional chemical sensors, in which multiple transduction mechanisms are applied to the same sensing layer. Potential applications are further expanded through sensor arrays, where cross-selective sensing layers can be applied for the analysis of complex chemical matrices. The possibility of finely tuning the macrocycle properties by synthetic modification of the different components of the porphyrin ring, such as peripheral substituents, molecular skeleton, coordinated metal, allows creating a vast library of porphyrinoid-based sensing layers. From among these, one can select optimal arrays for a particular application. This feature is particularly suitable for sensor array applications, where cross-selective receptors are required. This Review briefly describes chemical sensor principles. The main part of the Review is divided into two sections, describing the porphyrin-based devices devoted to the detection of gaseous or liquid samples, according to the corresponding transduction mechanism. Although most devices are based on porphyrin derivatives, seminal examples of the application of corroles or other porphyrin analogues are evidenced in dedicated sections.