Hierarchical Co-Assembly Enhanced Direct Ink Writing.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Smart materials development is advancing rapidly, with a focus on integrating intelligent molecular systems.
• 3D printing of macromolecular materials is established, but small-molecule-based systems are rare due to printability and functional preservation challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a general approach for integrating functional small molecules into 3D printable inks.
• To enable the translation of molecular functions to the macroscale using controlled superstructures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a supramolecular template to facilitate the 3D printability of small molecules.
• Developed various inorganic and organic small-molecule-based inks for direct ink writing.
• Employed post-printing hierarchical co-assembly to refine material superstructures.

Main Results:

• Successfully 3D printed diverse small-molecule-based inks.
• Demonstrated the preservation and translation of molecular functions to the macroscale.
• Achieved fine-tuned macroscale features through controlled nano- to macroscale molecular events.

Conclusions:

• The supramolecular templating approach provides a general strategy for creating advanced small-molecule-based 3D printing materials.
• This method unlocks new possibilities for developing smart materials with tailored macroscopic properties derived from molecular functionalities.