Hydrogen-Bonded Polymer-Porphyrin Assemblies in Water: Supramolecular Structures for Light Energy Conversion.

In this study, a new type of functional, self-assembled nanostructure formed from porphyrins and polyamidoamine dendrimers based on hydrogen bonding in an aqueous solution is presented. As the aggregates formed are promising candidates for solar-energy conversion, their photocatalytic activity is tested using the model reaction of methyl viologen reduction. The self-assembled structures show significantly increased activity as compared to unassociated porphyrins. Details of interaction forces driving the supramolecular structure formation and regulating catalytic efficiency are fundamentally discussed.

Inducing Hetero-aggregation of Different Azo Dyes through Electrostatic Self-Assembly.

Combining chemically different building blocks in supramolecular nanoparticles is a promising key to tailored structures and functionalities. π-π heterostacks of dye molecules form upon electrostatic self-assembly with a polyelectrolyte, resulting in stable ternary nano-assemblies in aqueous solution. Core-shell spheres, cylinders, and flexible cylinders result, which exhibit new shapes different from the binary systems. Particle shapes can be tuned through the dye composition.