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Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of a Dandelion‐Like Supramolecular Polymer into Nanotubes for use as Highly Efficient Aqueous Light‐Harvesting Systems
Author(s) -
Zhang Dapeng,
Liu Yannan,
Fan Yujiao,
Yu Chunyang,
Zheng Yongli,
Jin Haibao,
Fu Li,
Zhou Yongfeng,
Yan Deyue
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201603118
Subject(s) - materials science , supramolecular chemistry , self assembly , polymer , nanotube , supramolecular polymers , aqueous solution , vesicle , rhodamine b , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , membrane , carbon nanotube , organic chemistry , molecule , chemistry , composite material , biochemistry , photocatalysis , engineering , catalysis
A dandelion‐like supramolecular polymer (DSP) with a “sphere‐star‐parachute” topological structure consisting of a spherical hyperbranched core and many parachute‐like arms is constructed by the non‐covalent host–guest coupling between a cyclodextrin‐endcapped hyperbranched multi‐arm copolymer (host) and many functionalized adamantanes with each having three alkyl chain arms (guests). The obtained DSPs can further self‐assemble into nanotubes in water in a hierarchical way from vesicles to nanotubes through sequential vesicle aggregation and fusion steps. The nanotubes have a bilayer structure consisting of multiple “hydrophobic‐hyperbranched‐hydrophilic” layers. Such a structure is very useful for constructing a chlorosome‐like artificial aqueous light‐harvesting system, as demonstrated here, via the incorporation of hydrophobic 4‐(2‐hydroxyethylamino)‐7‐nitro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole as donors inside the hyperbranched cores of the nanotubes and the hydrophilic Rhodamine B as the acceptors immobilized on the nanotube surfaces. This as‐prepared nanotube light harvesting system demonstrates unexpectedly high energy transfer efficiency (above 90%) in water. This extends supramolecular polymers with more complex topological structure, special self‐assembly behavior, and new functionality.