Branched Aggregates with Tunable Morphology via Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Azobenzene‐Derived Molecular Double Brushes. Issue 32 (1st July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Binbin; Qian, Hongyu; Zhang, Ling; Lin, Shaoliang
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 60:Issue 32(2021)
• Page Start: 17707
• Page End: 17713
• Publication Date: 2021-07-01
• Subjects: azo compounds -- branched supermicelles -- hierarchical assembly -- molecular double brushes -- photo-responsiveness; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202106321
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Hierarchical self‐assembly is one of the most effective approaches to fabricate nature‐inspired materials with subtle nanostructures. We report a distinct hierarchical self‐assembly process of molecular double brushes (MDBs) with each graft site carrying a poly(azobenzene‐acrylate) (PAzo) chain and a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain. Asymmetric tapered worm (ATW) nanostructures with chain‐end reactivity assembling from the azobenzene‐derived MDBs serve as primary subunits to prepare branched supermicelles by increasing water content ( C w ) in THF/water. Various natural Antedon ‐shaped multiarm worm‐like aggregates (MWAs) can be created via the particle–particle connection of ATWs. Intriguingly, the azobenzene moieties undergo trans – cis isomerization upon UV irradiation and further promote a morphology evolution of MWAs. Multiscale supermicelles comprised of starfish shapes with differing central body and arm morphologies (e.g., compare to the biological specimens Luidia ciliaris and Crossaster papposus ) were prepared by manipulating irradiation time. Abstract : Diverse branched supermicelles can be prepared by particle–particle connection of primary tapered worm‐like aggregates from azobenzene‐containing Janus molecular double brushes (MDBs), which further enables biomimetic morphology evolution from Antedon ‐ to starfish‐shaped architectures upon UV irradiation.