Complex assembly from planar and twisted π-conjugated molecules towards alloy helices and core-shell structures.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 30341293.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-018-06489-3 and PMC identifier 6195596.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Integrating together two dissimilar π-conjugated molecules into controlled complex topological configurations remains a largely unsolved problem owing to the diversity of organic species and their respective different assembly features. Here, we find that two structurally similar organic semiconductors, 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene (BA) and 5,12-bis(phenylethynyl)naphthacene (BN), co-assemble into two-component helices by control of the growth kinetics as well as the molar ratio of BA/BN. The helical superstructures made of planar and twisted bis(phenylethynyl) derivatives can be regarded as (BA)<sub>x</sub>(BN)<sub>1-x</sub> alloys, which are formed due to compatible structural relationship between BA and BN. Moreover, epitaxial growth of (BA)<sub>x</sub>(BN)<sub>1-x</sub> alloy layer on the surface of BA tube to form BA@(BA)<sub>x</sub>(BN)<sub>1-x</sub> core-shell structure is also achieved via a solute exchange process. The precise control over composition and morphology towards organic alloy helices and core-shell microstructures opens a door for understanding the complex co-assembly features of two or more different material partners with similar structures.