Sterically Programmed Dynamic-Covalent Self-Assembly Enables High-Throughput Engineering of Supramolecular Nanotubes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Supramolecular self-assembly is key for organic semiconducting nanotubes.
• Controlling nanotube diameter, helicity, and wall number simultaneously remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a dynamic-covalent strategy for controlled synthesis of organic semiconducting nanotubes.
• To establish a modular route for producing chiral, multiwalled perylene diimide nanotubes with tunable properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a perylene diimide aldehyde precursor (PDIOA) and small amines for one-pot imine formation.
• Employed microscopy, diffraction, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) analysis.
• Varied amine structure, monomer concentration, and solvent composition.

Main Results:

• Achieved predictable control over nanotube inner diameter by adjusting amine steric bulk.
• Demonstrated the ability to engineer double- and triple-walled nanotubes.
• Showcased dimension-dependent photoconductive responses in the synthesized nanotubes.

Conclusions:

• The dynamic-covalent strategy offers a modular, high-throughput route to precisely engineered perylene diimide nanotubes.
• Molecular chirality translates to opposite supramolecular helicities.
• Programmable nanoscale structure directly correlates with optoelectronic function.