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Squeezing, Then Stacking: From Breathing Pores to Three‐Dimensional Ionic Self‐Assembly under Electrochemical Control
Author(s) -
Cui Kang,
Mali Kunal S.,
Ivasenko Oleksandr,
Wu Dongqing,
Feng Xinliang,
Walter Michael,
Müllen Klaus,
De Feyter Steven,
Mertens Stijn F. L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201406246
Subject(s) - stacking , bilayer , materials science , supramolecular chemistry , nanotechnology , chemical physics , stack (abstract data type) , self assembly , electrochemistry , scanning tunneling microscope , quantum tunnelling , ionic bonding , molecule , membrane , optoelectronics , electrode , chemistry , ion , computer science , organic chemistry , programming language , biochemistry
We demonstrate the spontaneous and reversible transition between the two‐ and three‐dimensional self‐assembly of a supramolecular system at the solid–liquid interface under electrochemical conditions, using in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. By tuning the interfacial potential, we can selectively organize our target molecules in an open porous pattern, fill these pores to form an auto‐host–guest structure, or stack the building blocks in a stratified bilayer. Using a simple electrostatic model, we rationalize which charge density is required to enable bilayer formation, and conversely, which molecular size/charge ratio is necessary in the design of new building blocks. Our results may lead to a new class of electrochemically controlled dynamic host–guest systems, artificial receptors, and smart materials.