Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2017, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3): 582-589.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201611292

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A Solution-Based Self-Assembly Approach to Preparing Functional Supramolecular Hybrid Materials

Hai-Kuan YANG*()   

  • Received:2016-10-20 Published:2017-03-07
  • Contact: Hai-Kuan YANG E-mail:haikuanyang@nuc.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    The project was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of North University of China(XJJ2016015)

Abstract:

A hybrid molecule having a molecular structure of cholesterol-polyoxometalate-cholesterol, was created by covalently connecting two cholesterol molecules onto the two sides of an organically modified Anderson-type polyoxometalate (POM). This hybrid molecule could self-assemble into highly ordered hexagonally packed cylinders in a bulk sample. The POM cluster of the hybrid molecule dissolved well in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent and cholesterol moieties had appropriate solubility in toluene. In mixed DMF/toluene solvents, the hybrid molecule self-assembled into fibril-shaped aggregates. These aggregates further twisted around each other to form the three-dimensional network structures. These formations were attributed to the solubility difference between the POM cluster and cholesterol moieties, van der Waals interactions among the cholesterol moieties, and electrostatic interactions among the POM clusters. Within the fibrous structure, the POM cluster and cholesterol moieties in the hybrid molecule assembled into a well-organized structure with alternatively arranged POM layer and cholesterol layer. The results described herein has potential application value toward design, assembly, and application of nanomaterials.

Key words: Material design, Hybrid molecule, Polyoxometalates, Self-assembly, Fibrous structure