Rational Route Toward the Frank–Kasper Z Phase: Effect of Precise Geometrical Tuning on the Supramolecular Assembly of Giant Shape Amphiphiles
Jiahao Huang, Ruimeng Zhang, Yicong Wang, Zebin Su, Xiaoyun Yan, Qing‐Yun Guo, Tong Liu, Yuchu Liu, Huanyu Lei, Mingjun Huang, Wei Zhang, Stephen Z. D. Cheng
Abstract
Theoretically, 27 types of Frank–Kasper (FK) phases could be constructed with three cornerstones, the FK A15, C15, and Z phases. They are all spherical packing phases composed of spherical motifs. In single-component soft matter, the experimental observation(s) of the A15 phase is common while C15 and Z phases are rare. Recently, a serendipitous observation of an FK Z phase with significant volume asymmetry of the constructing spherical motifs from a giant shape amphiphile assembly has been reported. In single-component soft matter, it is anticipated that the significant volume asymmetry of spherical motifs consisting of μ and μ ± 1 molecules could be readily reached when the μ is small. Herein, we present a design strategy to precisely control the number of molecules inside a spherical motif by geometrical tuning of the molecular building blocks, thus leading to the formation of the FK Z phase in a rational manner.