Creation of self-assembled mesoscale chainmail and application

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20526
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0501:Physical chemistry, functional solid state chemistry, organic chemistry, polymers, organic materials, biomolecular chemistry, and related fields
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: DATTA Sougata 千葉大学, 大学院工学研究院, 特任研究員 (60965036)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Supramolecular polymer / Nanotoroid / barbiturate / secondary nucleation / catenane

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we developed a unique methodology to control the catenation tendency for self-assembled toroidal nanoaggregates of barbituric acid molecules by tuning the inner void space of nanotoroids and the frequency of secondary nucleation. A reduction in the inner diameter of the nanotoroids results in nano-[2]catenanes in a high yield due to enhanced secondary nucleation and subsequent steric suppression of further catenation. Furthermore, we demonstrated the influence of seed topologies on seeded supramolecular polymerization by studying distinct kinetics of secondary nucleation and elongation using unique open- and close-ended seeds. These results will provide new molecular design guidelines for developing mesoscale functional materials.

Free Research Field

Supramolecular polymer

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Efficient surface-catalyzed heterogeneous nucleation combined with nanospace engineering in toroidal molecular assembly enables precise control over the synthesis of self-assembled catenated materials. This research project undoubtedly paves new avenues for exploring advanced mesoscale materials.