#supramolecular

Cooperative intermolecular interactions regulate supramolecular polymer assembly

Supramolecular chemistry involves the study of self-assembly of discrete molecules that are used to build large functional structures. Often, these molecules are allowed to self-assemble into one-dimensional polymeric structures (supramolecular polymers or SPs) in a suitable environment, and the dynamic molecular interactions are noted for tweaking the environment and improving the features of the resulting SPs. They are being explored as the next-generation polymeric materials with applications in electronics, soft-robotics, nanofabrication, and biomedical fields. In living systems, biological supramolecules, such as microtubules that form the cytoskeleton, play essential roles. Microtubules assemble in a helical fashion, which allows lateral (circumferential) interactions between neighboring proteins as well as longitudinal (helical axis) interactions between non-neighboring protein molecules, when one helical turn comes in contact with the next.

Durable supramolecular plastic is fully ocean-degradable and doesn't generate microplastics

Researchers led by Takuzo Aida at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have developed a new durable plastic that won't pollute our oceans. The new material is as strong as conventional plastics and biodegradable, but what makes it special is that it breaks down in seawater. The new plastic is therefore expected to help reduce harmful microplastic pollution that accumulates in oceans and soil and eventually enters the food chain. The experimental findings are published Nov 22 in Science. Scientists have been trying to develop safe and sustainable materials that can replace traditional plastics, which are non-sustainable and harm the environment. While some recyclable and biodegradable plastics exist, one big problem remains. Current biodegradable plastics like PLA often find their way into the ocean where they cannot be degraded because they are water insoluble. As a result, microplastics—plastic bits smaller than 5 mm—are harming aquatic life and finding their way into the food chain, including our own bodies.

Photoresponsive cages show promise for tunable supramolecular electronics

In a recent study that merges supramolecular chemistry and molecular electronics, a research team has demonstrated how supramolecular porphyrin-based cages can enable tunable photoresponsive charge transport (CT) behaviors in solid-state devices. The findings could pave the way for more versatile and controllable molecular components in optoelectronic applications. The research is published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition. The collaborative team was led by Professor Cunlan Guo of Wuhan University, Professor Ming Wang of Jilin University, and Professor Haohao Fu of Nankai University.

Smart supramolecular assemblies: Researchers show how additives promote self-assembly of spherical microparticles

If you've ever opened a box from IKEA and wished the pieces inside could somehow spontaneously merge to form a table or chair, then a simple virus could have a thing or two to teach you. Self-assembly of complex molecules is essential for a wide array of biological structures, including proteins, cell membranes, or even entire viruses. Supramolecular chemistry is a field of study that attempts to build large molecules out of a discrete number of smaller building blocks. By altering the strength of attraction between different polymers, complexes can be constructed on demand, leading to the development of "smart materials" that respond to changes in their environment, such as the addition of a new chemical. However, many aspects of supramolecular chemistry remain poorly understood. Now, in a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers from Osaka University showed how additives can promote the self-assembly of spherical microparticles made of a super absorbent polymer, poly(sodium acrylate), as well as control the macroscopic shape of the resulting assemblies.

Exploring the effect of ring closing on fluorescence of supramolecular polymers

In supramolecular chemistry, the self-assembly state of molecules plays a significant role in determining their tangible properties. Controlling the self-assembled state has garnered significant attention as it can be exploited to design materials with desired properties like charge transport capability and fluorescence wavelength. For years, scientists have been trying to decipher how molecular organization impacts the properties of supramolecular assemblies that are in the nano (<10 nm) and mesoscopic (10–1,000 nm) scales. However, the study of structures with supramolecular polymer assemblies derived from the same monomer is often hindered by dynamic structural changes and immature control over self-assemblies. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, investigated the properties of one-dimensional mesoscale supramolecular assemblies of two different structures composed of the same luminescent molecule. It showed how two structures showed very different properties depending on whether they had their molecules arranged in a closed circular pattern or not.