Kinetically controlled assembly of a spirocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon into polyhedral micro/nanocrystals

Zong Qiong Lin, Peng Ju Sun, Yee Yan Tay, Jing Liang, Yi Liu, Nai En Shi, Ling Hai Xie*, Ming Dong Yi, Yan Qian, Qu Li Fan, Hua Zhang, Huey Hoon Hng, Jan Ma, Qichun Zhang, Wei Huang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Figure Persented: Nonplane molecules with multiple large aromatic planes could be promising candidates to form various polyhedral micro/nanocrystals by manipulating the different π⋯π stacking, tuning the cohesive energies of crystal facets, and controlling the kinetic growth process. Spirocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (SAHs) not only have two cross-shaped aromatic planes but also offer the feature of supramolecular steric hindrance, making it favorable for the heterogeneous kinetic growth into highly symmetric polyhedra. Herein, we report that a novel SAH compound, spiro[fluorene-9,7′- dibenzo[c,h]acridine]-5′-one (SFDBAO), can self-assemble into various monodispersed shapes such as hexahedra, octahedra, and decahedra through the variation of either different types of surfactants, such as Pluronic 123 (P123) and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), or growth parameters. In addition, the possible mechanism of crystal facet growth has been proposed according to the SEM, XRD, TEM, and SAED characterization of organic polyhedral micro/nanocrystals. The unique cruciform-shaped SAHs have been demonstrated as fascinating supramolecular synthons for various highly symmetric polyhedral assembling.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5309-5319
Number of pages11
JournalACS Nano
Volume6
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 26 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Materials Science
  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

Keywords

  • cruciform-shaped molecules
  • kinetic crystal growth
  • polyhedron
  • spirocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
  • supramolecular assembly
  • surfactant

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