Preparation and photophysical and photoelectrochemical properties of a covalently fixed porphyrin-chemically converted graphene composite

Chemically converted graphene (CCG) covalently linked with porphyrins has been prepared by a Suzuki coupling reaction between iodophenyl-functionalized CCG and porphyrin boronic ester. The covalently linked CCG-porphyrin composite was designed to possess a short, rigid phenylene spacer between the porphyrin and the CCG. The composite material formed stable dispersions in DMF and the structure was characterized by spectroscopic, thermal, and microscopic measurements. In steady-state photoluminescence spectra, the emission from the porphyrin linked to the CCG was quenched strongly relative to that of the porphyrin reference. Fluorescence lifetime and femtosecond transient absorption measurements of the porphyrin-linked CCG revealed a short-lived porphyrin singlet excited state (38 ps) without yielding the porphyrin radical cation, thereby substantiating the occurrence of energy transfer from the porphyrin excited state to the CCG and subsequent rapid decay of the CCG excited state to the ground state. Consistently, the photocurrent action spectrum of a photoelectrochemical device with a SnO(2) electrode coated with the porphyrin-linked CCG exhibited no photocurrent response from the porphyrin absorption. The results obtained here provide deep insight into the interaction between graphenes and π-conjugated systems in the excited and ground states.     

Recent advances in photoinduced electron transfer processes of fullerene-based molecular assemblies and nanocomposites

Photosensitized electron-transfer processes of fullerenes hybridized with electron donating or other electron accepting molecules have been surveyed in this review on the basis of the recent results reported mainly from our laboratories. Fullerenes act as photo-sensitizing electron acceptors with respect to a wide variety of electron donors; in addition, fullerenes in the ground state also act as good electron acceptors in the presence of light-absorbing electron donors such as porphyrins. With single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), the photoexcited fullerenes act as electron acceptor. In the case of triple fullerene/porphyrin/SWCNT architectures, the photoexcited porphyrins act as electron donors toward the fullerene and SWCNT. These mechanisms are rationalized with the molecular orbital considerations performed for these huge supramolecules. For the confirmation of the electron transfer processes, transient absorption methods have been used, in addition to time-resolved fluorescence spectral measurements. The kinetic data obtained in solution are found to be quite useful to predict the efficiencies of photovoltaic cells.     

Bionano donor-acceptor hybrids of porphyrin, ssDNA, and semiconductive single-wall carbon nanotubes for electron transfer via porphyrin excitation

Photoinduced electron transfer in self-assemblies of porphyrins ion-paired with ssDNA wrapped around single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been reported. To accomplish the three-component hybrids, two kinds of diameter-sorted semiconducting SWCNT(n,m)s of different diameter ((n,m) = (6,5) and (7,6)) and free-base or zinc porphyrin bearing peripheral positive charges ((TMPyP(+))M (tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin); M = Zn and H(2)) serving as light-absorbing photoactive materials are utilized. The donor-acceptor hybrids are held by ion-pairing between the negatively charged phosphate groups of ssDNA on the surface of the SWCNT and the positively charged at the ring periphery porphyrin macrocycle. The newly assembled bionano donor-acceptor hybrids have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spectroscopic methods. Photoinduced electron transfer from the excited singlet porphyrin to the SWCNTs directly and/or via ssDNA as an electron mediator has been established by performing systematic studies involving the steady-state and time-resolved emission as well as the transient absorption studies. Higher charge-separation efficiency has been successfully demonstrated by the selection of the appropriate semiconductive SWCNTs with the right band gap, in addition to the aid of ssDNA as the electron mediator.     

Electrodes modified with iron porphyrin and carbon nanotubes: application to CO2 reduction and mechanism of synergistic electrocatalysis

Electrodes modified with iron porphyrin and carbon nanotubes (FeP–CNTs) were prepared and used for CO₂ electroreduction. The adsorption of iron porphyrin onto the multiwalled carbon nanotubes was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the modified electrodes for CO₂ reduction were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and CO₂ electrolysis. The FeP–CNT electrodes exhibited less negative cathode potential and higher reaction rate than the electrodes modified only with iron porphyrin or carbon nanotubes. A mechanism of the synergistic catalysis was proposed and studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. The direct electron transfer between iron porphyrin and carbon nanotubes was examined. The current study shed light on the mechanism of synergistic catalysis between CNTs and metalloporphyrin, and the iron porphyrin–CNT-modified electrodes showed great potential in the efficient CO₂ electroreduction.     

Double‐Wall Carbon Nanotube–Porphyrin Supramolecular Hybrid: Synthesis and Photophysical Studies

Double‐wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) with pyridyl units covalently attached to the external wall through isoxazolino linkers and carboxylic groups that have been esterified by pentyl chains are synthesized. The properties of these modified DWCNTs are then compared with an analogous sample based on single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Raman spectroscopy shows the presence of characteristic radial breathing mode vibrations, confirming that the samples partly retain the integrity of the nanotubes in the case of DWCNTs, including the internal and external nanotubes. Quantification of the pyridyl content for both samples (DWCNT and SWCNT derivatives) is based on X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric profiles, showing very similar substituent load. Both pyridyl‐containing nanotubes (DWCNTs and SWCNTs) form a complex with zinc porphyrin (ZnP), as evidenced by the presence of two isosbestic points in the absorption spectra of the porphyrin upon addition of the pyridyl‐functionalized nanotubes. Supramolecular complexes based on pyridyl‐substituted DWCNTs and SWCNTs quench the emission and the triplet excited state identically, through an energy‐transfer mechanism based on pre‐assembly of the ground state. Thus, the presence of the intact inner wall in DWCNTs does not influence the quenching behavior, with respect to SWCNTs, for energy‐transfer quenching with excited ZnP. These results sharply contrast with previous ones referring to electron‐transfer quenching, in which the double‐wall morphology of the nanotubes has been shown to considerably reduce the lifetime of charge separation, owing to faster electron mobility in DWCNTs compared to SWCNTs.     

Determination of explosives based on novel type of sensor using porphyrin functionalized carbon nanotubes

The hydroxide of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was fabricated in our research to explore the interaction between porphyrin and explosive. It was turned out that in the formation of grid porphyrin film, carbon nanotubes as a cruciul base materials promoted the electron transfer rate. Most of important, the results also showed that the electrochemical response was enhanced through increasing the number of -OH substitution in porphyrin. Such information provides the platform for a practical strategy for rational design of the sensor of explosives.     

Linear and nonlinear optical characterization of a tetraphenylporphyrin-carbon nanotube composite system

We present a study of tetraphenylporphyrin composites formed with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Stable porphyrin/SWNT composite solutions were obtained by non-covalent bonding between the carbon nanotubes and conjugated tetraphenylporphyrin molecules. Transmission electron microscopy reveals porphyrin molecules adhering to the nanotube surface. We report on the first complete linear and nonlinear optical characterization of these nanocomposite materials. The composite solutions were found to be superior optical limiters to nanotubes alone, and to all porphyrin systems studied, including metalloporphyrins.     

Characterisation of Nanohybrids of Porphyrins with Metallic and Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes by EPR and Optical Spectroscopy

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are noncovalently functionalised with octaethylporphyrins (OEPs) and the resulting nanohybrids are isolated from the free OEPs. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of cobalt(II)OEP, adsorbed on the nanotube walls by π–π‐stacking, demonstrates that the CNTs act as electron acceptors. EPR is shown to be very effective in resolving the different interactions for metallic and semiconducting tubes. Moreover, molecular oxygen is shown to bind selectively to nanohybrids with semiconducting tubes. Water solubilisation of the porphyrin/CNT nanohybrids using bile salts, after applying a thorough washing procedure, yields solutions in which at least 99 % of the porphyrins are interacting with the CNTs. Due to this purification, we observe, for the first time, the isolated absorption spectrum of the interacting porphyrins, which is strongly red‐shifted compared to the free porphyrin absorption. In addition a quasi‐complete quenching of the porphyrin fluorescence is also observed.     

Hierarchical polymer assemblies constructed by the mutual template effect of cationic polymer complex and anionic supramolecular nanofiber

Creation of higher-ordered polymeric architectures composed of alternative assemblies of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and fibrous porphyrin J-aggregates can be easily achieved utilizing the cationic semi-artificial polysaccharide which can act not only as a tubular host for SWNTs but also as a one-dimensional template for porphyrin molecules. This new class of hierarchical polymer assembly is formed, for the first time, by the mutual template effect of two components, i.e., the cationic SWNT complexes and the anionic porphyrin supramolecular nanofibers. In the present system, the self-assembling behaviors of the SWNT complexes as well as the final properties of the SWNT nanoarchitectures are strongly affected by the packing mode of porphyrin molecules on the cationic semi-artificial polysaccharide. Furthermore, we have confirmed that the light energy captured by the porphyrin J-aggregates is effectively transferred to SWNTs.     

卟啉修饰碳纳米管研究进展

碳纳米管作为一类新型纳米材料具有许多独特的物理、化学性质,卟啉在可见光区具有广泛吸收.并可作为构筑分子体系的光捕捉单元.卟啉修饰的碳纳米管有望在生命、信息、材料科学等许多相关学科得到应用.本文综述了卟啉修饰碳纳米管的方法、影响因素,展望了其在光电领域的应用前景.     

Polyelectrolyte‐Assisted Noncovalent Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes with Ordered Self‐Assemblies of a Water‐Soluble Porphyrin

The self‐assembly and induced supramolecular chirality of meso‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TSPP) on both single‐wall (SWCNT) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are investigated. Under mild pH conditions (pH 3), TSPP forms aggregates when CNTs are dispersed in an aqueous solution containing positively charged polyelectrolytes such as poly‐L ‐lysine (PLL) or poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). Evidence for the geometry of the porphyrin aggregates is obtained from absorption spectra, whereby the fingerprints of J‐ and H‐aggregates are clearly seen only in the presence of smaller‐diameter nanotubes. J‐aggregates are better stabilized with PLL, whereas in the presence of PAH mainly H‐aggregates prevail. Excited‐state interactions within these nanohybrids are studied by steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence. The porphyrin emission intensity in the nanohybrid solution is significantly quenched compared to that of TSPP alone, and this implies strong electronic interaction between CNTs and porphyrin molecules. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) further supports that porphyrin arrays are associated with the MWCNT sidewalls wrapped in PLL. In the case of the SWCNT hybrid, spherical structures associated with longer fluorescence lifetime appeared after one week, indicative of H‐aggregates of TSPP. The latter are the result of π–π stacking of porphyrin units on neighboring nanotubes facilitated by the strong tendency of these nanotubes to interact with each other. These results highlight the importance of optimum dimensions and surface‐area architectures of CNTs in the control/stability of the porphyrin aggregates with promising properties for light harvesting.     

Skin Constituents as Cosmetic Ingredients. Part III: A Molecular Modeling Study of Bio‐Mimetic Monoglycerides Behavior at the Squalene‐Water Interface

Tetrakis(4-hydroxylphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes were synthesized. Meanwhile, THPP or tetrakis(4-hydroxylphenyl)porphyrin cobalt(II) (CoTHPP) was introduced on the surface of carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs-COOH) and amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs-NH₂) to form a series of complexes, respectively. TEM images indicated that the assemblies were made of the short chipping carbon nanotubes and the long assembled carbon nanotubes. The UV-vis spectra and fluorescence spectra were used to investigate the properties of the porphyrins assembled on the carbon nanotubes.     

Allyloxyporphyrin‐Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis by Radical Polymerization and Enhanced Optical‐Limiting Properties

Allyloxyporphyrin‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐TPP) were synthesized by radical polymerization and characterized by FTIR, UV/Vis absorption, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy; elemental analysis; TEM; and thermogravimetric analysis. Z‐scan studies revealed that this nanohybrid exhibits enhanced nonlinear optical (NLO) properties compared to a control sample consisting of a covalently unattached physical blend of MWCNTs and porphyrin, as well as to the separate MWCNTs and porphyrin. At the wavelengths used, the mechanism of enhanced optical limiting likely involves reverse saturable absorption, nonlinear scattering, and photoinduced electron/energy transfer between the MWCNTs and the porphyrin. The role of electron/energy transfer in the NLO performance of MWCNT‐TPP was investigated by Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Bulk synthesis of linear carbon chains confined inside single-wall carbon nanotubes by vacuum discharge

Carbyne, an infinite carbon chain, has attracted much interest and induced significant controversy for many decades. Recently, the presence of linear carbon chains (LCCs), which were confined stably inside double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), has been reported. In this study, we present a novel method to produce LCCs in a film of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Our transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy revealed the formation of a bulk amount of LCCs after electric discharge of CNT films, which were used as field emission cathodes. The LCCs were confined inside single-wall CNTs as well as DWCNTs. Furthermore, two or three LCCs in parallel with each other are encapsulated when the inner diameter of CNT is larger than approximately 1.1 nm.     

碳纳米管在电化学和光化学纳米生物传感器中的应用

碳纳米管(CNTs)因具有独特的物理化学及电化学性质,如较大的比表面积、较强的电子转移能力和良好的吸附性能等而引起人们的广泛关注.碳纳米管可以通过物理吸附、静电或疏水作用等非共价结合方式或共价连接方式固定生物大分子(如蛋白质、DNA、抗体等),有效地促进生物大分子与电极间直接、快速的电子转移,可应用于多种电化学生物传感器中.碳纳米管本身在近红外光区具有独特的荧光和拉曼光谱,可以利用多种光谱手段对多种生物分子实现定量检测,因此近年来碳纳米管在光化学生物传感器中的应用也逐渐受到了研究者的重视.本文对碳纳米管在电化学和光化学生物传感器中的应用进行了简要综述和展望.     

meso-四(4-酰肼基苯基)卟啉及其金属配合物共价和非共价修饰多壁碳纳米管

采用新方法合成了meso-四(4-酰肼基苯基)卟啉及其金属配合物, 通过化学键将酰肼卟啉上的酰肼基与活化的多壁碳纳米管(MWNTs)发生酰胺化反应, 从而得到卟啉共价化学修饰的多壁碳纳米管复合物; 利用卟啉环上的π电子与多壁碳纳米管管壁上的π电子通过π-π堆积效应, 得到卟啉非共价化学修饰的碳纳米管复合物. 通过红外光谱、紫外和荧光光谱对比分析, 发现在卟啉与碳纳米管间存在强烈的电子效应, 且非共价修饰的卟啉-碳纳米管复合物的荧光猝灭率更高.     

Photosensitized electron transfer processes of nanocarbons applicable to solar cells

Photosensitized electron-transfer processes of nanocarbon materials hybridized with electron donating or electron accepting molecules have been surveyed in this tutorial review on the basis of the recent results reported mainly from our laboratories. As nano-carbon materials, fullerenes and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been employed. Fullerenes act as photo-sensitizing electron acceptors with respect to a wide variety of electron donors; in addition, the fullerenes act as good ground state electron acceptors in the presence of light-absorbing electron donors such as porphyrins and phthalocyanines. In the case of SWCNTs, their ground states act as electron acceptor and electron donors, depending on the photosensitizers. For example, with respect to the photoexcited porphyrins and phthalocyanines, SWCNTs usually act as electron acceptors, whereas for the photoexcited fullerenes, SWCNTs act as electron donors. The diameter sorted semi-conductive SWCNTs have been used to verify the size-dependent electron transfer rates. For the confirmation of the electron transfer processes, the transient absorption methods have been widely used, in addition to the time-resolved fluorescence spectral measurements. The kinetic data thus obtained in solution are found to be quite useful to predict the efficiencies of photovoltaic cells constructed on semiconductor nanoparticle modified electrodes and their photocatalytic processes.     

Photophysical processes of a fluorene derivative containing carbazole unit

The photoluminescence properties of 9,9-bis[4'-(9'-carbazovinylene)phenyl]fluorene (F-CZV) formed by Heck reaction of 9,9-bis(4'-iodophenyl)fluorene (F-IP) and N-vinylcarbazole have been carefully studied. The results show that the compound emits blue light and the dimolecular excimer is formed with gradual increase in concentration of F-CZV. The results also indicate the interaction between F-CZV and electron donors (N,N-dimethylaniline) or electron acceptors (dimethylterephthalate, fullerene carbon nanotubes) can be efficiently generated where the processes follow the Stern-Volmer equation. Moreover, when dimethylterephthalate (DMTP) or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is gradually added into the solution of F-CZV, the emission intensities of fluorescence are unusually increased. But when concentration of dimethylterephthalate or carbon nanotubes beyond a certain scope, the emission intensities of fluorescence are gradually decreased.     

Carbon nanotubes films: electronic properties and their application as field emitters

Aligned carbon nanotube films have been studied with a wide variety of characterization techniques. Although nanotubes resemble bulk graphite as far as carrier densities, susceptibilities and conductivities are concerned, transport properties and ESR measurments indicate that carrier localization occurs at low temperatures. Nanotube films are good field emitters producing large currents at relatively low electric fields. The performance is superior to the intensely studied CVD diamond films in particular for the threshold field for electron emission. We believe that the observed remarkable electron emission is related to the special electronic structure of the nanotube tips.     

A viable way to tailor carbon nanomaterials by irradiation-induced transformations

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been the most important tool in their investigation. It is possible to use electron irradiation in a TEM to construct a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) from an amorphous carbon film. Here we show that such a synthesis method creates a large number of carbon ad-atoms, which after some critical amount of radiation act to restore the system by reconstructing the carbon film. The behavior of the ad-atoms can be controlled by adjusting the current density in the microscope, suggesting that carbon nanomaterials can be tailored by electron irradiation.