Aryl-derivatized ZnPc (tetrakis (benzylmercapto) zinc phthalocyanine. ZnTBMPc) was synthesized and used to functionalize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by ligand exchange. The triplet quantum yield and lifetime of ZnTBMPc were determined to be 0.51 and 50 mu s and a singlet oxygen quantum yield (Phi(Delta)) of 0.33 was obtained in toluene. When conjugated to AuNPs, the Phi(Delta) value of 0.54 was obtained in toluene. Poly(methyl methacrylate) fiber was electrospun in the absence and presence of ZnTBMPc and its conjugate with AuNPs. The functionalized fiber showed an ability to generate singlet oxygen for both ZnTBMPc and its AuNPs conjugate. The functionalized phthalocyanine fiber could be a promising fabric material for applications as photosensitizers. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.