Title: Synthesis and characterisation of porphyrin nanotubes obtained by ionic self-assembly

Authors: Valentinas Snitka, Vida Mizariene, Ingrida Bruz Bruzaite Vita, Vitas Lendraitis, Mindaugas Rackaitis

Addresses: Research Center for Microsystems and Nanotechnology, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu str. 65, Kaunas LT-51369, Lithuania. ' Research Center for Microsystems and Nanotechnology, Kaunas University of Technology, Studentu str. 65, Kaunas LT-51369, Lithuania. ' Chemical Engineering Department, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio al. 11, Vilnius, LT-10223, Lithuania. ' Kaunas Technical College, Tvirtoves av. 35, Kaunas, LT-50155, Lithuania. ' Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology, 1655 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44301, USA

Abstract: In this work, the porphyrin nanotubes were built by ionic self-assembly in acidic aqueous solution of two oppositely charged non-metal porphyrins, namely, the anionic meso-tetra (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphine dihydrochloride (TPPS₄) and cationic meso-tetra (4-pyridyl) porphine (T₄MPyP). The electrostatic forces between these porphyrin blocks contribute to the formation of porphyrin aggregates in the form of nanosheets and nanotubes, enhance the structural stability of these nanostructures. The nanosheets thickness approximately varies in the range of 3-15 nm and the sheets diameter up to 1 micron. Using the TEM and SEM, it was revealed that the mechanism of nanotubes formation is based on the wrapping of nanosheets in multiwall cigar-like structures. The porphyrin nanotubes obtained are hollow structures with a length from 200 nm up to 1,000 nm and have a diameter in the range of 50-140 nm with 20-40 nm thick walls. TEM images confirm a hollow tubular structure of the aggregates.

Keywords: porphyrin nanotubes; nanosheets; self-assembly; electrostatic forces nanomaterials; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2010.029936

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2010 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.194 - 204

Published online: 03 Dec 2009 *

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