Metal ion effect on the supramolecular structures of metalloporphyrins on single-walled carbon nanotube surface

In this study, supramolecular structures of metalloporphyrin derivatives, i.e., Zn, Co, and Ni on a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) surface have been investigated using microscopic and spectroscopic measurements as well as density functional theory calculations, to identify the effect of metalation on the supramolecular structures of porphyrins on a curved carbon surface (SWNT). By changing the central metal incorporated inside the porphyrin ring, different supramolecular structures can be observed on the SWNT surface using scanning tunneling microscopy, which displays the effect of different metal centers on the supramolecular structure. Although predicting or understanding supramolecular structures on the SWNT surfaces is still a big challenge, this study will serve as a helpful key point for further understanding, building new supramolecular architectures on SWNT surfaces and designing novel molecular architectonics of porphyrin/SWNTs-based devices.