Free-Standing Nanocrystalline Materials Assembled from Small Molecules

Abstract

We demonstrate a solution-based fabrication of centimeter-size free-standing films assembled from organic nanocrystals based on common organic dyes (perylene diimides, PDIs). These nanostructured films exhibit good mechanical stability, and thermal robustness superior to most plastics, retaining the crystalline microstructure and macroscopic shape upon heating up to 250-300 °C. The films show nonlinear optical response and can be used as ultrafiltration membranes. The macroscopic functional materials based on small molecules can be alternative or complementary to materials based on macromolecules.

Continuum Crystallization Model Derived from Pharmaceutical Crystallization Mechanisms

“…Crystallization is important in biology, 1 , 2 geology, 3 materials science, 4 − 6 and industrial processes. 7 Crystallization in solution is central in many fields, 8 − 10 yet understanding its molecular mechanisms, especially at early stages, is limited, presenting a key challenge in chemistry.…”

Covalently Linked Perylene Diimide–Polydiacetylene Nanofibers Display Enhanced Stability and Photocurrent with Reversible FRET Phenomenon

“…Owing to their intriguing structural, optical, and electrical properties, perylene diimde (PDI) derivatives have been extensively investigated for use in a variety of systems including functional supramolecules, organic solar cells, organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), and sensors . Because they undergo facile self‐assembly as a consequence of favorable π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals interactions, certain PDI derivatives form well‐defined 1D nanostructures such as nanofibers and nanotubes . However, although these 1D PDI nanostructures serve as key components in optoelectronic devices, they often suffer from poor stability.…”

Microfluidics for the rapid and controlled preparation of organic nanotubes of bent-core based dendrimers

“…3,42 However, for some applications it is necessary to obtain nanostructures in the solid state. [43][44][45] Therefore, we combined the continuous fabrication of assemblies in solution through microuidic devices with the deposition of nanostructures on different substrates to obtain liquid crystal-like organisations in the bulk. Firstly, deposition onto a glass plate was evaluated.…”