Based on the design idea of the third generation photosensitizer to improve the biocompatibili-ty and other properties of photosensitizer,the porphyrin-chitosan copolymer(TAPP-CMC)was prepared by combining carboxymethyl chitosan(CMC)with porphyrin in EDC/NHS catalytic system.The related compounds were characterized by UV-Vis spectrum,infrared spectrum,X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis.It was observed by scanning electron microscope that both TAPP-CMC and CMC were irregular sheet structures.The photodynamic antitumor activity of TAPP-CMC on hepatocellu-lar carcinoma cells was investigated by tumor cell morphology.The results show that EDC/NHS catalytic system is a feasible synthetic route of porphyrin-chitosan copolymer,which can improve its biocompati-bility after polymerization and has certain photodynamic anticancer activity on liver cancer cells.