Water-soluble complex formation of fullerenes with a biocompatible polymer

Abstract

Fullerenes (C60 or C70) and water-soluble poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPCn) were mixed by physical means to prepare water-soluble fullerene/PMPCn complexes. The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra confirmed the presence of aqueous solutions with high fullerene concentrations. The fullerene/PMPCn complexes were characterized using light scattering measurements, small-angle X-ray scattering measurements and transmission electron microscopic observations. The complexes generated singlet oxygen upon visible light irradiation.