Hierarchical self-assembly of protoporphyrin IX-bridged Janus particles into photoresponsive vesicles

Abstract

Control over the building blocks in supramolecule by hierarchical self-assembly techniques provides a flexible strategy in nanotechnology and material science. In this study, a protoporphyrin IX (PPIX)-bridged Janus particle, as an amphiphilic building block, is driven by host–guest recognition between di-β-cyclodextrin-modified PPIX (PPIX-2CD) and azobenzene (AZO)-focused hydrophobic/hydrophilic hyperbranched polymers. The supramolecular Janus particles were hierarchically constructed into photoresponsive vesicles, which disassembled under the irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) light because of the trans- to cis-isomerization of the AZO groups. Results show that the PPIX-inserted vesicles exhibited excellent photostability against intense infrared radiation and good singlet oxygen producing ability.