Self-assembled nanostructures of zwitterionic octaphosphanatoporphyrin 1, of either nanoparticles or nanorods, depending on small changes in the pH, is demonstrated based on the J-aggregates. Porphyrin 1 self-assembled into nanosphere aggregates with a diameter of about 70-80 nm in the pH range 5-7, and nanorod aggregates were observed at pH 8.5. Hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking and hydrophilic interactions play important roles in the formation of this nanostructure morphology. Nanostructures were characterized by UV/Vis absorbance, fluorescence, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This interesting pH dependent self-assembly phenomenon could provide a basis for development of novel biomaterials.
Keywords: AFM; TEM; aggregation; molecular self-assembly; porphyrin.