Side-chain-controlled H- and J-aggregation of amphiphilic porphyrins in CTAB micelles

The aggregation behavior of a series of amphiphilic 4-hydroxyphenyl porphyrins with one (P1), two (P2) and three (P3) hexadecyl side chains in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles has been studied by means of UV–vis and fluorescence spectra. It was found that the number of hexadecyl side chains not only controls the H- and J-aggregation of the porphyrins in CTAB micelles, but also influences the aggregation concentration and tendency. With increasing porphyrin concentration, P1 and P2 form H-aggregates in CTAB micelles, while P3 forms J-aggregates. Porphyrins with more hexadecyl side chains tend to form aggregates more easily and at lower concentrations in CTAB micellar solutions.

Graphical abstractWith increasing porphyrin concentration, P1 and P2 form H-aggregates in CTAB micelles, while P3 forms J-aggregates.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide