PolyWhips: Directional Particle Transport by Gradient-Directed Growth and Stiffening of Supramolecular Assemblies.

Cera, Luca; Chiappisi, Leonardo; Böttcher, Christoph; Schulz, Andrea; Schoder, Stefan; Gradzielski, Michael; Schalley, Christoph A · Adv Mater · 2017

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Growth of rigid rods occurs via supramolecular assembly of a nonconjugated π-donor π-acceptor monomer and is triggered by a NaCl gradient. The mechanical stiffness of this material is controlled by the local salt concentration and is ion specific. The continuous and well-controlled growth process is exploited to power the directional transport of sub-millimeter polymer particles.