International Collaboration in Chemistry: Synthesis and Assembly of Shape-Adjustable, Reconfigurable Nanocrystals

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This International Collaboration in Chemistry between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad (ICC) project focuses on developing shape-adjustable nanocrystals for use in assembling reconfigurable superstructures. The synthesis of nanocrystals of diarylethene and azobenzene derivatives and their assembly into photo-responsive nanocrystals is developed in this project. One of the goals is to generate ordered structures and to enable their photo-triggered transitions using laser irradiation at specific locations and at specific times. Other goals are to develop chemo-responsive nanocrystal assemblies as well as the anisotropic reconfiguration of Janus nanocrystals. The Granick group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is supported by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the NSF Chemistry Division. The Kimizuka group at Kyushu University is supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the partnering international funding agency.Molecular crystal materials show great technological promise with the significant drawback that the crystal structure typically is static in time. This research collaboration between US and Japanese researchers is to enhance our fundamental understanding about how to design and produce new structures with the value-added element that they are reconfigurable. This in turn could lead to more effective sensors, actuators, and release agents. The extended visits of students to the Japanese partner laboratory for collaborative work and training provide students with valuable international experience.