title: Precise Macroscopic Supramolecular Assembly by Combining Spontaneous Locomotion Driven by the Marangoni Effect and Molecular Recognition.
abstract: Macroscopic supramolecular assembly bridges fundamental research on molecular recognition and the potential applications as bulk supramolecular materials. However, challenges remain to realize stable precise assembly, which is significant for further functions. To handle this issue, the Marangoni effect is applied to achieve spontaneous locomotion of macroscopic building blocks to reach interactive distance, thus contributing to formation of ordered structures. By increasing the density of the building blocks, the driving force for assembly transforms from a hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction to hydrophilic-hydrophilic interaction, which is favorable for introducing hydrophilic coatings with supramolecular interactive groups on matched surfaces, consequently realizing the fabrication of stable precise macroscopic supramolecular assemblies.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029 (China).
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029 (China).
authors.forename: Yiming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xian
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering & Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029 (China). shi@mail.buct.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D013499:Surface Properties
keywords: Marangoni effect; host-guest recognition; macroscopic supramolecular assembly; ordered structures; polydimethylsiloxane