Light-induced ostwald ripening of organic nanodots to rods

Ostwald ripening allows the synthesis of 1D nanorods of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles. However, this phenomenon is unsuccessful with organic π-systems due to their spontaneous self-assembly to elongated fibers or tapes. Here we demonstrate the uses of light as a versatile tool to control the ripening of amorphous organic nanodots (ca. 15 nm) of an azobenzene-derived molecular assembly to micrometer-sized supramolecular rods. A surface-confined dipole variation associated with a low-yield (13–14%) trans–cis isomerization of the azobenzene moiety and the consequent dipole–dipole interaction in a nonpolar solvent is believed to be the driving force for the ripening of the nanodots to rods

Role of complementary H-bonding interaction of a cyanurate in the self-assembly and gelation of melamine linked tri(p-phenyleneethynylene)s

Melamine-functionalized tri(p-phenyleneethynylene) 1 self-assembles to form opaque and weak gels in aliphatic solvents which turned transparent and stable upon addition of a cyanurate, affording supramolecular nanostructures with distinct physical properties

Light-Induced Ostwald Ripening of Organic Nanodots to Rods

Ostwald ripening allows the synthesis of 1D nanorods of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles. However, this phenomenon is unsuccessful with organic π-systems due to their spontaneous self-assembly to elongated fibers or tapes. Here we demonstrate the uses of light as a versatile tool to control the ripening of amorphous organic nanodots (ca. 15 nm) of an azobenzene-derived molecular assembly to micrometer-sized supramolecular rods. A surface-confined dipole variation associated with a low-yield (13–14%) <i>trans–cis</i> isomerization of the azobenzene moiety and the consequent dipole–dipole interaction in a nonpolar solvent is believed to be the driving force for the ripening of the nanodots to rods