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Mimicking the Natural World with Nanoarchitectonics for Self-Assembled Superstructures
Ratan W Jadhav1, Dinesh N Nadimetla1, Vilas K Gawade1
1School of Chemical Sciences, Goa University, Goa, 403206, India.
Chemical Record (New York, N.Y.)
|September 23, 2022
Summary
Researchers review how natural shapes like animals and plants inspire lab-created superstructures. These complex structures, formed from molecules and polymers, offer high surface areas for applications in catalysis, solar cells, and biomedicine.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Biomimicry
Background:
- Nature provides diverse morphologies, inspiring the laboratory synthesis of complex superstructures.
- Animal and plant forms serve as models for creating novel materials.
- Understanding self-assembly is key to designing functional nanomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of complex superstructures inspired by natural morphologies.
- To discuss the formation of animal-like and plant-like shapes from organic molecules and polymers.
- To highlight the potential applications of these biomimetic superstructures.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications on self-assembled superstructures.
- Analysis of studies focusing on small organic molecules and polymers.
- Categorization of structures based on resemblance to natural forms (animals, plants).
Main Results:
- Polymers predominantly form micellar structures, with some exceptions.
- Small organic molecules yield diverse shapes, including worm-like and caterpillar-like morphologies.
- Synthesized superstructures exhibit high surface areas and variable surface morphology.
Conclusions:
- Biomimetic superstructures offer unique properties for advanced applications.
- The ability to mimic natural forms facilitates the design of functional materials.
- These structures hold significant potential in catalysis, solar cells, and biomedicine.
