Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Self-Assembled MOF-Polymer Composites
Published on: June 14, 2024
Cation-Dependent Hierarchical Assembly of U60 Nanoclusters into Macro-Ion Assemblies Imaged via Cryogenic
Jennifer A Soltis1, Christine M Wallace2, R Lee Penn1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
Abstract:
Self-assembly of ([UO2(O2)OH]60)(60-) (U60), an actinide polyoxometalate with fullerene topology, can be induced by the addition of mono- and divalent cations to aqueous U60 solutions. Dynamic light scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering lend important insights into assembly in this system, but direct imaging of U60 and its assemblies via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has remained an elusive goal. In this work, we used cryogenic TEM to image U60 and secondary and tertiary assemblies of U60 to characterize the size, morphology, and rate of formation of the secondary and tertiary structures. The kinetics and final morphologies of the secondary and tertiary structures strongly depend on the cation employed, with monovalent cations (Na(+) and K(+)) leading to the highest rates and largest secondary and tertiary structures.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Cryo-electron Microscopy
Formation of Complex Ions
Ionic Crystal Structures
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

