Creation of discrete micrometer-sized structures through self-assembly based on molecular programing

我们开发了一种新的超分子体系，用于形成尺寸在亚微米范围内的离散的一维自组装结构；它结合了传统的超分子策略和由收缩的液滴提供的动态液-液界面。在这个系统中，有机液滴不仅作为动态模板，而且还作为两亲性分子的隔室溶液，允许数千个分子自发地在孤立液滴的表面自组装，形成分子程序之外的离散的一维结构。换句话说，两亲性分子对亚微米大小的液滴进行编程。

We have developed a novel supramolecular system for the formation of discrete 1-D self-assembled architectures having dimensions in the sub-micrometer regime; it combines a conventional supramolecular strategy with a dynamic liquid-liquid interface provided by shrinking droplets. In this system, the organic droplets act not only as dynamic templates but also as compartmentalizing solutions for amphiphilic molecules, allowing several thousands of molecules to spontaneously self-assemble on the isolated droplets’ surfaces to form discrete 1-D architectures beyond molecular programs. In other words, the amphiphilic molecules program the sub-micrometer-sized droplets.