Anisotropic particles and the corresponding colloidal crystals (CCs) have attracted widely research interest owing to its promising applications in novel optic, sensing device and separation films. There is still a large challenge for the assembly of anisotropic particles in a simple convective process. In this communication, we put forward a facile approach for one-step synthesis/assembly of anisotropic cake-shaped porphyrin CCs from interface-induced and droplet template method. The ratio of height-diameter (h/D) of cake-shaped particles can be modified from 1 to 0.33 by adjusting the interface tension between droplet and the porphyrin suspension. The as-prepared cake-shaped CCs showed special optic reflection properties and enhanced optic limit effect. This facile fabrication of anisotropic CCs will open a new way for the extended applications of the porphyrin in optic-electronic devices.

Chem. Commun., 2016