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 (H2TPP‐POSS) was synthesized by azide–alkyne click chemistry. The self‐assembly behavior of H2TPP‐POSS was systematically studied in CHCl3 at different concentrations and in solvents with different polarities. Novel nanovesicles could be obtained through the self‐assembly of H2TPP‐POSS in CHCl3 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. Get in shape! The self‐assembly of metal‐free tetrakisphenyl porphyrin–polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (H2TPP‐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).