Non-equilibrium Nanoassemblies Constructed by Confined Coordination on a Polymer Chain
Zhikai Li, Min Chen, Zhi Chen, You‐Liang Zhu, Chenxing Guo, Heng Wang, Yi Qin, Fang Fang, Dong Wang, Chenliang Su, Chuanxin He, Xiujun Yu, Zhong‐Yuan Lu, Xiaopeng Li
Abstract
Biological systems employ non-equilibrium self-assembly to create ordered nanoarchitectures with sophisticated functions. However, it is challenging to construct artificial non-equilibrium nanoassemblies due to lack of control over assembly dynamics and kinetics. Herein, we design a series of linear polymers with different side groups for further coordination-driven self-assembly based on shape-complementarity. Such a design introduces a main-chain confinement which effectively slows down the assembly process of side groups, thus allowing us to monitor the real-time evolution of lychee-like nanostructures. The function related to the non-equilibrium nature is further explored by performing photothermal conversion study. The ability to observe and capture non-equilibrium states in this supramolecular system will enhance our understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic features as well as functions of living systems.