Abstract
Self-organized metallo-supramolecular hetero-
structures have potential applications that include molecular
electronics, photovoltaics, and magnetic devices, among other
examples. The main challenge that scientists typically face when
designing advanced supramolecular materials is to achieve
structurally de
fi
ned assemblies by resolving con
fl
icting demands
on the topological and/or chemical features of the constituting
building blocks. Accordingly, the formation of well-de
fi
ned
metallo-supramolecular arrays using ill-de
fi
ned, highly polydisperse, self-assemblable starting compounds marks a profound
departure from traditional supramolecular paradigms. The present work describes the
fi
rst observation of spontaneous
mesophase transformation of well-de
fi
ned metallo-supramolecular assemblies in solution as a result of the complexation of
transition metal ions into the ionophilic domains of highly branched unimolecular micelles constituted of
N
-acylated
hyperbranched polyethylenimine. Experimental results based on a combination of di
ff
erent synchrotron-based techniques
provide unprecedented experimental evidence revealing that ion-induced self-assembly of amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers
can be used to achieve highly ordered metallo-supramolecular structures not only in solution but also on solid surfaces. We
believe that this emerging conceptual framework can open extremely interesting new synthetic and technological opportunities in
the area of self-assembly of well-de
fi
ned metallo-supramolecular architectures obtained from building blocks with poor structural
regularity but easily provided in large quantities by simple and inexpensive preparative chemistries
Originalsprache | Englisch |
---|---|
Seiten (von - bis) | 94-100 |
Seitenumfang | 7 |
Fachzeitschrift | American Chemical Society |
DOIs | |
Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 2014 |
Research Field
- Biosensor Technologies