title: Simultaneous SAXS and SANS Analysis for the Detection of Toroidal Supramolecular Polymers Composed of Noncovalent Supermacrocycles in Solution.
abstract: Molecular self-assembly primarily occurs in solution. To better understand this process, techniques capable of probing the solvated state are consequently required. Small-angle scattering (SAS) has a proven ability to detect and characterize solutions, but it is rarely applied to more complex assembly shapes. Here, small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering are applied to observe toroidal assemblies in solution. Combined analysis confirms that the toroids have a core-shell structure, with a π-conjugated core and an alkyl shell into which solvent penetrates. The dimensions determined by SAS agree well with those obtained by (dried-state) atomic force microscopy. Increasing the number of naphthalene units in the molecular building block yields greater rigidity, as evidenced by a larger toroid and a reduction in solvent penetration into the shell. The detailed structural analysis demonstrates the applicability of SAS to monitor complex solution-based self-assembly.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical and Geographical Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST55BG, UK. m.hollamby@keele.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6775-3539
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hollamby
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aratsu
authors.affiliation: BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Pauw
authors.affiliation: ISIS-STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0QX, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Diamond Light Source Ltd., Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan. yagai@faculty.chiba-u.jp.
authors.forename: Shiki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yagai
keywords: nanorings; self-assembly; small-angle scattering; supramolecular chemistry; toroids