Hierarchical Co‐Assembly Enhanced Direct Ink Writing. Issue 18 (23rd March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Longyu; Zhang, Pengfei; Zhang, Zhiyun; Lin, Qianming; Wu, Yuyang; Cheng, Alexander; Lin, Yunxiao; Thompson, Christina M.; Smaldone, Ronald A.; Ke, Chenfeng
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 57:Issue 18(2018)
• Page Start: 5105
• Page End: 5109
• Publication Date: 2018-03-23
• Subjects: 3D printing -- self-assembly -- smart materials -- supramolecular chemistry -- templated synthesis; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201800593
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Integrating intelligent molecular systems into 3D printing materials and transforming their molecular functions to the macroscale with controlled superstructures will unleash great potential for the development of smart materials. Compared to macromolecular 3D printing materials, self‐assembled small‐molecule‐based 3D printing materials are very rare owing to the difficulties of facilitating 3D printability as well as preserving their molecular functions macroscopically. Herein, we report a general approach for the integration of functional small molecules into 3D printing materials for direct ink writing through the introduction of a supramolecular template. A variety of inorganic and organic small‐molecule‐based inks were 3D‐printed, and their superstructures were refined by post‐printing hierarchical co‐assembly. Through spatial and temporal control of individual molecular events from the nano‐ to the macroscale, fine‐tuned macroscale features were successfully installed in the monoliths. Abstract : Inks for 3D printing : A supramolecular template was introduced to facilitate the 3D printability of a variety of functional small molecules. The molecular functions were successfully transferred to the macroscale in the fabricated 3D monoliths, and included hierarchical porosity, changes in the color of the fluorescence with good spatial and temporal control, and size expansion upon active supramolecular insertion.