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A Bubble‐Assisted Approach for Patterning Nanoscale Molecular Aggregates
Author(s) -
Min Fanyi,
Zhou Peng,
Huang Zhandong,
Qiao Yali,
Yu Changhui,
Qu Zhiyuan,
Shi Xiaosong,
Li Zheng,
Jiang Lang,
Zhang Zhen,
Yan Xuehai,
Song Yanlin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202103765
Subject(s) - nanoscopic scale , bubble , molecule , molecular dynamics , nanotechnology , laplace pressure , materials science , porphyrin , resolution (logic) , chemical physics , chemistry , computational chemistry , physics , computer science , organic chemistry , thermodynamics , artificial intelligence , mechanics , surface tension
We demonstrate a new approach to pattern functional organic molecules with a template of foams, and achieve a resolution of sub 100 nm. The bubble‐assisted assembly (BAA) process is consisted of two periods, including bubble evolution and molecular assembly, which are dominated by the Laplace pressure and molecular interactions, respectively. Using TPPS (meso‐tetra(4‐sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin), we systematically investigate the patterns and assembly behaviour in the bubble system with a series of characterizations, which show good uniformity in nanoscale resolution. Theoretical simulations reveal that TPPS's J‐aggregates contribute to the ordered construction of molecular patterns. Finally, we propose an empirical rule for molecular patterning approach, that the surfactant and functional molecules should have the same type of charge in a two‐component system. This approach exhibits promising feasibility to assemble molecular patterns at nanoscale resolution for micro/nano functional devices.