title: Interconversion between discrete and a chain of nanocages: self-assembly via a solvent-driven, dimension-augmentation strategy.
abstract: Using a ligand bearing a bulky hydrophobic group, a "shish kabob" of nanocages, has been assembled through either a one-fell-swoop or a step-by-step procedure by varying the dielectric constant of the assembly mixture. A hydrophobic solvent breaks down the chain to discrete nanocages, while a hydrophilic solvent reverses the procedure. Although the shish kabob of nanocages has exactly the same chemical composition and even the same Archimedean-solid structure as those of its discrete analogue, its gas-adsorption capacity is remarkably improved because assembly of a chain exposes the internal surface of an individual cage. This dimension-augmentation strategy may have general implications in the preparation of porous materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, PO Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842, USA.
authors.forename: Tian-Fu
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ying-Pin
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Andrey A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Yakovenko
authors.forename: Hong-Cai
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012821:Silanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D012821:Silanes; D012997:Solvents