Stable ultrathin films and hollow spheres fabricated from P(DSS–VP) and porphyrin derivatives

Abstract

Poly(4-diazosulfonate-styrene–4-vinylpyridine) (P(DSS–VP)), a new copolymer which possesses both photo-cross-linking and hydrogen accepting ability, was prepared and used to self-assemble (SA) with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl) porphyrin (TAPP) or 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (THPP) on a quartz wafer (2D) or on submicrometre-sized spheres (3D) of styrene copolymer (or SiO₂) via H-bonding interactions. Under UV irradiation, the diazosulfonate groups (–NNSO₃Na) of P(DSS–VP) decomposed resulting in the cross-linking of the film. Core–shell spheres with styrene copolymer (or SiO₂) beads as core and P(DSS–VP)/TAPP (or THPP) SA film as shell as well as the hollow spheres with cross-linked SA films as shell were prepared.