Unveiling the transient template in the self-assembly of a molecular oxide nanowheel.
Self-assembly has proven a powerful means of preparing structurally intricate nanomaterials, but the mechanism is often masked by the common one-pot mixing procedure. We employed a flow system to study the steps underlying assembly of a previously characterized molybdenum oxide wheel 3.6 nanometers in diameter. We observed crystallization of an intermediate structure in which a central {Mo36} cluster appears to template the assembly of the surrounding {Mo150} wheel. The transient nature of the template is demonstrated by its ejection after the wheel is reduced to its final electronic state. The template's role in the self-assembly mechanism is further confirmed by the deliberate addition of the template to the reaction mixture, which greatly accelerates the assembly time of the {Mo150} wheel and increases the yield.
Miras
Haralampos N
HN
WestCHEM, Department of Chemistry, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
Cooper
Geoffrey J T
GJ
Long
De-Liang
DL
Bögge
Hartmut
H
Müller
Achim
A
Streb
Carsten
C
Cronin
Leroy
L