Generation of nanostructures by the aggregation of porphyrin derivatives with long alkane chain in mix-solvent

Abstract

Controlled aggregation of tetrakis-(4-(hexadecyl oxy)-phenyl) porphyrin and its copper(II)-complex was studied in mix-solvent system at room temperature. Structure of the aggregates was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible spectroscopy. TEM results indicated the formation of organized nanostructures from the porphyrin derivative and its corresponding copper(II)-complex. XRD results showed that the bulk and nanostructured free porphyrin derivatives had the similar crystalline morphology. UV-visible-NIR spectroscopic data showed broad red-shifted Soret band, indicating JJ aggregation among the monomer units. Conjugate effect of lateral p-p interaction among the tetrapyrrole cores and hydrophobic interaction among the long alkane chains substituted in the peripheral phenyl rings is believed to lead to the organized nanostructures. Effect of solvent ratio on the aggregate structure is also revealed.