Synthetic asters as elastic and radial skeletons

Qingqiao Xie, Xixi Chen, Tianli Wu, Tiankuo Wang, Yi Cao, Steve Granick, Yuchao Li () and Lingxiang Jiang ()
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Qingqiao Xie: Jinan University
Xixi Chen: Jinan University
Tianli Wu: Jinan University
Tiankuo Wang: Nanjing University
Yi Cao: Nanjing University
Steve Granick: Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
Yuchao Li: Jinan University
Lingxiang Jiang: Jinan University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The radial geometry with rays radiated from a common core occurs ubiquitously in nature for its symmetry and functions. Herein, we report a class of synthetic asters with well-defined core-ray geometry that can function as elastic and radial skeletons to harbor nano- and microparticles. We fabricate the asters in a single, facile, and high-yield step that can be readily scaled up; specifically, amphiphilic gemini molecules self-assemble in water into asters with an amorphous core and divergently growing, twisted crystalline ribbons. The asters can spontaneously position microparticles in the cores, along the radial ribbons, or by the outer rims depending on particle sizes and surface chemistry. Their mechanical properties are determined on single- and multiple-aster levels. We further maneuver the synthetic asters as building blocks to form higher-order structures in virtue of aster-aster adhesion induced by ribbon intertwining. We envision the astral structures to act as rudimentary spatial organizers in nanoscience for coordinated multicomponent systems, possibly leading to emergent, synergistic functions.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13009-4

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