Twisting, untwisting, and retwisting of elastic Co-based nanohelices

Wei Du, Feng Gao (), Peng Cui, Zhiwu Yu, Wei Tong, Jihao Wang, Zhuang Ren, Chuang Song, Jiaying Xu, Haifeng Ma, Liyun Dang, Di Zhang, Qingyou Lu (), Jun Jiang (), Junfeng Wang (), Li Pi, Zhigao Sheng and Qingyi Lu ()
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Wei Du: Nanjing University
Feng Gao: Nanjing University
Peng Cui: University of Science and Technology of China
Zhiwu Yu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wei Tong: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jihao Wang: University of Science and Technology of China
Zhuang Ren: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chuang Song: Nanjing University
Jiaying Xu: Nanjing University
Haifeng Ma: Nanjing University
Liyun Dang: Nanjing University
Di Zhang: Nanjing University
Qingyou Lu: University of Science and Technology of China
Jun Jiang: University of Science and Technology of China
Junfeng Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Li Pi: University of Science and Technology of China
Zhigao Sheng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qingyi Lu: Nanjing University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The reversible transformation of a nanohelix is one of the most exquisite and important phenomena in nature. However, nanomaterials usually fail to twist into helical crystals. Considering the irreversibility of the previously studied twisting forces, the reverse process (untwisting) is more difficult to achieve, let alone the retwisting of the untwisted crystalline nanohelices. Herein, we report a new reciprocal effect between molecular geometry and crystal structure which triggers a twisting-untwisting-retwisting cycle for tri-cobalt salicylate hydroxide hexahydrate. The twisting force stems from competition between the condensation reaction and stacking process, different from the previously reported twisting mechanisms. The resulting distinct nanohelices give rise to unusual structure elasticity, as reflected in the reversible change of crystal lattice parameters and the mutual transformation between the nanowires and nanohelices. This study proposes a fresh concept for designing reversible processes and brings a new perspective in crystallography.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40001-w

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