title: Viologen-templated arrays of cucurbit[7]uril-modified iron-oxide nanoparticles.
abstract: Magnetic and fluorescent assemblies of iron-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were constructed by threading a viologen-based ditopic ligand, DPV(2+), into the cavity of cucurbituril (CB[7]) macrocycles adsorbed on the surface of the NPs. Evidence for the formation of 1:2 inclusion complexes that involve DPV(2+) and two CB[7] macrocycles was first obtained in solution by (1)H NMR and emission spectroscopy. DPV(2+) was found to induce self-assembly of nanoparticle arrays (DPV(2+)⊂CB[7]NPs) by bridging CB[7] molecules on different NPs. The resulting viologen-crosslinked iron-oxide nanoparticles exhibited increased saturation magnetization and emission properties. This facile supramolecular approach to NP self-assembly provides a platform for the synthesis of smart and innovative materials that can achieve a high degree of functionality and complexity and that are needed for a wide range of applications.
authors.affiliation: New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Benyettou
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nchimi-Nono
authors.forename: Mustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jouiad
authors.forename: Yoann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lalatonne
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Milosevic
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Motte
authors.forename: John-Carl
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Na'il
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trabolsi
keywords: microporosity; self-assembly; solid-state fluorescence; superparamagnetic nanoparticles; surface modification