Morphology-Controlled Self-Assembly of an Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Porphyrin Derivative Containing Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS)

An organic/inorganic hybrid porphyrin derivative, namely, metal-free tetrakisphenyl porphyrin–polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (H 2 TPP-POSS) was synthesized by azide–alkyne click chemistry. The self-assembly behavior of H 2 TPP-POSS was systematically studied in CHCl 3 at different concentrations and in solvents with different polarities. Novel nanovesicles could be obtained through the self-assembly of H 2 TPP-POSS in CHCl 3 at a concentration lower than 10 −4 m. Diffuse microrods formed at a concentration higher than 10 −4 M . Additionally, the polarity of the solvent also greatly influenced the assembled morphologies, and a series of assembled morphologies, including crescent-shaped micelles, spherical micelles, doughnut-shaped vesicles, and ordered square sheets, could form in solvents with different polarities. Graphical Get in shape! The self-assembly of metal-free tetrakisphenyl porphyrin–polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (H 2 TPP-POSS) in various solvents with different polarities was investigated. A series of assembled morphologies, including crescent-shaped micelles, spherical micelles, doughnut-shaped vesicles, and ordered square sheets, was obtained (see figure).