Controlled
Self-Assembly of Photofunctional Supramolecular
Nanotubes
Erez Cohen
Haim Weissman
Iddo Pinkas
Eyal Shimoni
Pavel Rehak
Petr Král
Boris Rybtchinski
10.1021/acsnano.7b06376.s001
https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Controlled_Self-Assembly_of_Photofunctional_Supramolecular_Nanotubes/5733723
Designing
supramolecular nanotubes (SNTs) with distinct dimensions
and properties is highly desirable, yet challenging, since structural
control strategies are lacking. Furthermore, relatively complex building
blocks are often employed in SNT self-assembly. Here, we demonstrate
that symmetric bolaamphiphiles having a hydrophobic core comprised
of two perylene diimide moieties connected <i>via</i> a
bipyridine linker and bearing polyethylene glycol (PEG) side chains
can self-assemble into diverse molecular nanotubes. The structure
of the nanotubes can be controlled by assembly conditions (solvent
composition and temperature) and a PEG chain length. The resulting
nanotubes differ both in diameter and cross section geometry, having
widths of 3 nm (triangular-like cross-section), 4 nm (rectangular),
and 5 nm (hexagonal). Molecular dynamics simulations provide insights
into the stability of the tubular superstructures and their initial
stages of self-assembly, revealing a key role of oligomerization <i>via</i> side-by-side aromatic interactions between bis-aromatic
cores. Probing electronic and photonic properties of the nanotubes
revealed extended electron delocalization and photoinduced charge
separation that proceeds <i>via</i> symmetry breaking, a
photofunction distinctly different from that of the fibers assembled
from the same molecules. A high degree of structural control and insights
into SNT self-assembly advance design approaches toward functional
organic nanomaterials.
2017-12-19 00:00:00
bipyridine linker
insight
section geometry
Molecular dynamics simulations
photonic properties
Photofunctional Supramolecular Nanotubes Designing supramolecular nanotubes
SNT self-assembly advance design approaches
electron delocalization
Controlled Self-Assembly
5 nm
building blocks
perylene diimide moieties
control strategies
photoinduced charge separation
3 nm
assembly conditions
PEG chain length
SNT self-assembly
side chains
polyethylene glycol
bis-aromatic cores