pH-induced interconversion between J-aggregates and H-aggregates of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin in polyelectrolyte multilayer films

In situ fabrication of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin nanostructures with excitonic absorption on glass substrate

In this article, we report in situ fabrication of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) nanostructures with excitonic absorption on glass substrate. The exposure of TPPS thin film coated on a glass plate to HCl vapor resulted in the formation of nanostructures of TPPS. The formed TPPS nanostructures on glass plate were characterized by UV-vis, steady state emission spectral techniques, atomic force microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). A new sharp and intense absorption band (excitonic band) at 490 nm was observed for TPPS nanostructures on glass plate. Protonation of tertiary nitrogen atoms of TPPS ring by HCl molecules leads to the formation of nanostructures of J-aggregates of TPPS on glass surface. The height of the TPPS nanostructures was found to be 50-170 nm with an average width of 100 nm. HR-TEM images showed that the formed TPPS J-aggregates consist of tiny nanorods. The size of the nanostructures was tuned successfully by varying the concentration of TPPS used for thin film preparation.

Electrode potential-dependent colorimetric response of fluorescein-modified layer-by-layer films in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

Layer-by-layer (LbL) thin films composed of fluorescein-modified poly(allylamine) (F-PAH) and poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS) were prepared on the surface of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode and the electrode potential-dependent colorimetric response of the LbL films was studied in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). The LbL films were prepared by an alternate deposition of F-PAH and PSS on the surface through an electrostatic force of attraction. The LbL films exhibited a UV-visible absorption band around 500 nm originating from fluorescein residues in the film and the intensity of the absorption band depended on the pH of the solution to which the LbL film is exposed. The absorbance of the film was higher at neutral pH than that in weakly acidic solutions. The intensity of the absorption band decreased when an electrode potential higher than 0.6 V was applied in the presence of H(2)O(2), while virtually no response was observed at lower electrode potential. The colorimetric response was suppressed in solutions with higher buffer capacity. The results were rationalized on the basis of the changes in local pH at the vicinity of the electrode surface, which in turn was induced by electrolysis of H(2)O(2) on the electrode surface. A possible application of the system for colorimetric sensing of H(2)O(2) was discussed.

Polymeric microcapsules with light responsive properties for encapsulation and release

This review is dedicated to recent developments on the topic of light sensitive polymer-based microcapsules. The microcapsules discussed are constructed using the layer-by-layer self-assembly method, which consists in absorbing oppositely charged polyelectrolytes onto charged sacrificial particles. Microcapsules display a broad spectrum of qualities over other existing microdelivery systems such as high stability, longevity, versatile construction and a variety of methods to encapsulate and release substances. Release and encapsulation of materials by light is a particularly interesting topic. Microcapsules can be made sensitive to light by incorporation of light sensitive polymers, functional dyes and metal nanoparticles. Optically active substances can be inserted into the shell during their assembly as a polymer complex or following the shell preparation. Ultraviolet-addressable microcapsules were shown to allow for remote encapsulation and release of materials. Visible- and infrared- addressable microcapsules offer a large array of release strategies for capsules, from destructive to highly sensitive reversible approaches. Besides the Introduction and Conclusions, this review contains in four sections reviewing the effects of light 1) on polymer-based microcapsules, 2) microcapsules containing metal nanoparticles and 3) functional dyes, as well as a fourth section that revisits the implications of light addressable polymeric microcapsules as a microdelivery system for biological applications.

Multilayer nanostructured porphyrin arrays constructed by layer-by-layer self-assembly

UV-vis absorption, atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle, and X-ray reflectivity experiments were performed on thin films deposited on crystalline silicon substrates as alternating layers of a porphyrin with anionic functionality, tetra-5,10,15,20-(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine (TSPP) or the metalated version, Cu(II)TSPP, and the cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The films were made by dipping in alternating aqueous solutions containing film components (layer-by-layer deposition). Modeling of the X-ray reflectivity data revealed differences in the films' thickness depending on the method of film deposition. An unusual decrease in film thickness after each polyelectrolyte dip was also observed for films using TSSP. UV-vis measurements revealed that a similar amount of TSSP was included within films despite the method of formation. UV-vis measurements also revealed the presence of free-base, H-aggregate, and J-aggregate forms of the porphyrin after TSPP dipping, and the subsequent disappearance of the J-aggregate after dipping in the PDDA solution. A model of film formation was proposed on the basis of the concept of two different types of porphyrin aggregates being present after dipping in porphyrin solution. A layer of porphyrin molecules initially attach to the Si surface such that the planar molecules are arranged side by side as H-aggregates with an excess of J-aggregated material on top. The J-aggregate is then removed and replaced by a layer of PDDA. A change in contact angle of 14 degrees was observed between porphyrin and polyelectrolyte layers due to the more hydrophobic nature of the polymer. The presence of the J-aggregate was confirmed in AFM images obtained from the porphyrin layer. Exposure of the films to solutions of alternating pHs of 10 and 1.8 resulted in reproducible switching of the UV-vis spectra, indicating a possible sensing application.

Self-organized porphyrinic materials

The self-assembly and self-organization of porphyrins and related macrocycles enables the bottom-up fabrication of photonic materials for fundamental studies of the photophysics of these materials and for diverse applications. This rapidly developing field encompasses a broad range of disciplines including molecular design and synthesis, materials formation and characterization, and the design and evaluation of devices. Since the self-assembly of porphyrins by electrostatic interactions in the late 1980s to the present, there has been an ever increasing degree of sophistication in the design of porphyrins that self-assemble into discrete arrays or self-organize into polymeric systems. These strategies exploit ionic interactions, hydrogen bonding, coordination chemistry, and dispersion forces to form supramolecular systems with varying degrees of hierarchical order. This review concentrates on the methods to form supramolecular porphyrinic systems by intermolecular interactions other than coordination chemistry, the characterization and properties of these photonic materials, and the prospects for using these in devices. The review is heuristically organized by the predominant intermolecular interactions used and emphasizes how the organization affects properties and potential performance in devices.