Novel hybrid photosensitizers: Photoactive polymer–nanoclay

A new type of hybrid photosensitizers was obtained by efficient adsorption of a photoactive polymer by an organically modified nanoclay. The polymer bore naphthyl and rose bengal chromophores, which absorbed light both in the ultraviolet and visible spectral region. Adsorption of the polymer on nanoclay prevented aggregation of chromophores. The obtained hybrid photosensitizer efficiently adsorbs hydrophobic compounds. It was also found to be an efficient photosensitizer in singlet oxygen generation. The hybrid photosensitizers combine the advantages of both component systems, i.e. possibility to attach a wide range of chromophores to the polymeric chain and resulting ability to photosensitize reactions, on one hand, and the ability to adsorb hydrophobic pollutants and easy separation from water characteristic of nanoclays, on the other.