Spectroscopic characterization of zirconium(IV) and hafniumf(IV) gallate phthalocyanines in monolithic silica gels obtained by sol–gel method

Abstract The Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) phthalocyanines, with gallate as axial ligand coordinated to the central metal atom of phthalocyanine, were incorporated in silica gels during sol–gel process with using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as precursor. The obtained mixed inorganic–organic composites were transparent and homogeneous. The absorption and emission properties of these materials in comparison with the spectra of the Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) phthalocyanines in various solvents were investigated. The spectra were correlated with various stage of the sol–gel process. It was established that in the gels concurrence of the monomer and dimer form is different in sol, alco-, hydro- and xerogels. The intensive 700–725 nm fluorescence emission upon relatively long-wavelength excitation and unusually large (about 45 nm) Stokes shift in the Q region, suggest that Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) phthalocyanines could be considered as photosensitizers in the PDT method (photodynamic therapy).