Order at Extreme Dilution. (7th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alvarez Fernandez, Alexandra; Hammink, Roel; Kragt, Stijn; Cattaneo, Laura; Savoini, Matteo; van der Velden, Jeroen; Rasing, Theo; Rowan, Alan E.; Collings, Peter J.; Kouwer, Paul H. J.
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 26:Number 48(2016)
• Page Start: 9009
• Page End: 9016
• Publication Date: 2016-09-07
• Subjects: chromonic liquid crystals -- high dilution -- macroscopic anisotropy -- self‐assembly -- semiflexible polymers; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201602913
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract : Control over the organization of assemblies from molecular dimensions up to the macroscopic length scale is an outstanding challenge in science, above all for materials in high dilution. Instead of inducing order by generating very long and stiff structures, an alternative approach is studied: a two‐component assembly of a semiflexible polymer with a (self‐assembling) chromonic liquid crystal. By following the structure formation in time using different techniques, a mechanistic model is proposed that explains how such unusually well‐defined materials can be created from flexible components. It is concluded that at this very low concentration (>99.6% water), these macroscopically organized structures can only be formed when the energies between different assembly states and their interconversion rates are properly balanced. This may, however, be in reach for a wide range of materials, which makes this a generic route toward high definition at low concentration without the need for long and rigid building blocks. Abstract : Order at low concentrations is a challenge and is commonly only feasible with rigid building blocks or by using external forces. In an aqueous solution of semiflexible polymers and self‐assembling dyes, however, hierarchically ordered structures at extremely low concentrations are formed. This may be generic motive toward high order using only soft materials.