Self-assembled porphyrin nanostructures

Abstract: The general goal of this project is to construct novel size- and shape-controllable porphyrin self-assemblies of high structural integrity and with attractive functionality. We propose research of self-assembled nanostructures of porphyrin derivatives such mesophenylporphyrins, metalloporphyrins, chlorines, sapphyrins and lanthanide texaphyrins on various substrates. The research includes: (1) Design and tuning the building blocks for porphyrin-based nanostructures by changing of peripheral substituents, their position on the ring, insertion of metals and/or structure of macrocycle. (2)Self-aggregation of porphyrin units in solution controlled by solvent, pH, temperature, salt concentration, incubation time, presence of templates and other factors. (3) Deposition of self-assembled structures on glass, mica, graphite and other substrates from solution. (4) Visualization of these nanostructures by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).