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Controlled Construction of an Exquisite Three-Component Co-assembly Supramolecular Structure at the Liquid-Solid
Siqi Zhang1, Linxiu Cheng1, Chen Chen1
1CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 2, 2021
Summary
A shape-persistent macrocycle acts as a versatile host for co-assembly with guest molecules COR and C60. The specific addition sequence of these molecules is critical for forming a stable three-component supramolecular structure at the liquid-solid interface.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Materials science
- Surface science
Background:
- Supramolecular chemistry focuses on the study of complex chemical systems held together by non-covalent interactions.
- The liquid-solid interface is a critical area for self-assembly and the formation of ordered structures.
- π-conjugated macrocycles are key building blocks in supramolecular chemistry due to their unique electronic and structural properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a three-component supramolecular co-assembly structure at the liquid-solid interface.
- To investigate the role of a shape-persistent π-conjugated macrocycle as a host molecule.
- To understand the influence of guest molecule addition sequence on the co-assembly structure.
Main Methods:
- Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) for observing co-assembly structures at the liquid-solid interface.
- Utilizing a shape-persistent π-conjugated macrocycle (1 6mer) as a host.
- Employing two guest molecules: COR and C60.
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to analyze formation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The macrocycle (1 6mer) successfully co-assembles with both COR and C60 to form stable two-component structures.
- COR molecules fill gaps between macrocycle side chains, while C60 molecules occupy the macrocycle's inner cavity.
- The addition sequence of COR and C60 is crucial for achieving the desired three-component co-assembly structure (1 6mer-COR-C60).
- A specific sequence (1 6mer and COR first, then C60) yields the target three-component structure on a HOPG surface.
Conclusions:
- A versatile three-component supramolecular co-assembly system has been successfully demonstrated.
- The macrocycle's structure and the precise control over guest molecule addition are key to forming complex assemblies.
- The findings provide insights into the formation mechanisms of interfacial supramolecular structures, relevant for molecular electronics and nanotechnology.
