Photophysics of J-Aggregating Porphyrin-Lipid Photosensitizers in Liposomes: Impact of Lipid Saturation.Porphyrin aggregates have attractive photophysical properties for phototherapy and optical imaging, including quenched photosensitization, efficient photothermal conversion, and unique absorption spectra.  Porphyrin-lipid readily phase-separates in saturated membranes, forming J-aggregates that are destabilized during the ripple phase below the main thermal transition.  Porphyrin-lipid J-aggregates are photostable with a photothermal efficiency of 54 ± 6%, comparable to gold.  For photothermal applications, liposome formulations that encourage porphyrin-lipid phase separation should be explored for maximum J-aggregation.
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