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Self-sorting in macroscopic supramolecular self-assembly via additive effects of capillary and magnetic forces.

Minghui TanPan TianQian ZhangGuiqiang ZhuYuchen LiuMengjiao ChengFeng Shi
Published in: Nature communications (2022)
Supramolecular self-assembly of μm-to-mm sized components is essential to construct complex supramolecular systems. However, the selective assembly to form designated structures at this length scale is challenging because the short-ranged molecular recognition could hardly direct the assembly of macroscopic components. Here we demonstrate a self-sorting mechanism to automatically identify the surface chemistry of μm-to-mm components (A: polycations; B: polyanions) based on the A-B attraction and the A-A repulsion, which is realized by the additivity and the competence between long-ranged magnetic/capillary forces, respectively. Mechanistic studies of the correlation between the magnetic/capillary forces and the interactive distance have revealed the energy landscape of each assembly pattern to support the self-sorting results. By applying this mechanism, the assembly yield of ABA trimers has been increased from 30%~40% under conventional conditions to 100% with self-sorting. Moreover, we have demonstrated rapid and spontaneous self-assembly of advanced chain-like structures with alternate surface chemistry.
Keyphrases
  • molecularly imprinted
  • high resolution
  • water soluble
  • single cell
  • energy transfer
  • transcription factor
  • solid phase extraction
  • quantum dots
  • liquid chromatography
  • tandem mass spectrometry