A New Type of Cuprous-Cysteamine Sensitizers: Synthesis, Optical Properties and Potential Applications

ABSTRACT Herein, for the first time, we report a series of cuprous-cysteamine (Cu-Cy-X, X = F, Cl, Br, and I)) sensitizers that possess tunable fluorescence from orange to yellow. The Cu-Cy-X can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (1O2) in the order of Cu-Cy-I > Cu-Cy-Br > Cu-Cy-Cl ≈ Cu-Cy-F under UV and microwave excitation. Further study revealed that Cu-Cy-X has stability in the order of Cu-Cy-I > Cu-Cy-Br > Cu-Cy-Cl ≈ Cu-Cy-F. In this work, a detailed synthesis technique, crystal structure, optical properties, and mechanism of the observed trend in 1O2 generation, luminescence spectra, and anticancer effect are discussed in both theoretical and experimental points of view. These new materials will open a new door for photodynamic therapy and many other potential applications such as sensing, lighting, displays, labeling, and medical imaging.