Apparent symmetry rising induced by crystallization inhibition in ternary co-crystallization-driven self-assembly

Abstract

The concept of apparent symmetry rising, opposite to symmetry breaking, was proposed to illustrate the unusual phenomenon that the symmetry of the apparent morphology of the multiply twinned particle is higher than that of its crystal structure. We developed a unique strategy of co-crystallization-driven self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers PEO-b-PS and the inorganic cluster silicotungstic acid to achieve apparent symmetry rising of nanoparticles under mild conditions. The triangular nanoplates triply twinned by orthogonal crystals (low symmetry) have an additional triple symmetry (high symmetry). The appropriate crystallization inhibition of short solvophilic segments of the block copolymers favors the oriented attachment of homogeneous domains of hybrid nanoribbons, and consequently forms kinetic-controlled triangular nanoplates with twin grain boundaries.