One-shot preparation of topologically chimeric nanofibers via a gradient supramolecular copolymerization

Supramolecular polymers have emerged in the last decade as highly accessible polymeric nanomaterials. An important step toward finely designed nanomaterials with versatile functions, such as those of natural proteins, is intricate topological control over their main chains. Herein, we report the facile one-shot preparation of supramolecular copolymers involving segregated secondary structures. By cooling non-polar solutions containing two monomers that individually afford helically folded and linearly extended secondary structures, we obtain unique nanofibers with coexisting distinct secondary structures. A spectroscopic analysis of the formation process of such topologically chimeric fibers reveals that the monomer composition varies gradually during the polymerization due to the formation of heteromeric hydrogen-bonded intermediates. We further demonstrate the folding of these chimeric fibers by light-induced deformation of the linearly extended segments.