Dynamic Adaptive Two-Dimensional Supramolecular Assemblies for On-Demand Filtration

• Published in: iScience 2019-09, Vol.19, p.14-24
• Main Authors: Zhang, Qi, Xing, Ruo-Jie, Wang, Wen-Zhi, Deng, Yuan-Xin, Qu, Da-Hui, Tian, He
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Materials Characterization; Materials Synthesis; Supramolecular Materials
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.07.007

The construction of synthetic two-dimensional (2D) materials designates a pathway to the versatile chemical functionality by spatial control. However, current 2D materials with intelligence of stimuli-responsibility and adaptiveness have been unfledged. The approach reported here uses a supramolecular strategy to achieve the dynamic non-covalent self-assembly of a rationally designed small molecule monomer, producing large-area, ultra-thin, porous 2D supramolecular assemblies, which are solution-processable in aqueous solution. Importantly, the 2D supramolecular assemblies exhibit distinct adaptive capability to automatically regulate their network density and pore diameters in response to environmental temperature change, which could be developed into an "on-demand" filtration application for nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the 2D supramolecular assemblies can also perform reversible degradation/reformation by photo-irradiation. Our results not only show the simplicity, reliability, and effectiveness of supramolecular strategies in the construction of 2D materials with practical sizes, but also push the dynamic alterability and adaptation features from supramolecular assemblies toward 2D materials. [Display omitted] •2D supramolecular assemblies combine large area, nano-thickness and water solubility•The 2D assemblies can perform reversible expansion/contraction to tune pore sizes•The 2D material can be used for on-demand nanoparticles filtration Supramolecular Materials; Materials Synthesis; Materials Characterization