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.

Insights into the spontaneous multi-scale supramolecular assembly in an ionic liquid-based extraction system

“…However, the fast saturation of surfactants on the surface greatly limited the duration of the Marangoni effect. 18,19…”

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Marangoni-driven self-propelled building blocks were designed to achieve spontaneous macroscopic supramolecular assembly and unfortunately the duration of the Marangoni effect was limited despite the great efforts. 18,19 Therefore, to realize a whole-process spontaneous MSSA, the continuous Marangoni-driven self-propelled process responsible for the macroscopic assembly at the interface is of essential importance.…”

A Light-Powered Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on the Photothermal Marangoni Effect

“…The Marangoni effect − refers to mass transfer along with the interface between two fluids due to the surface tension gradient and demonstrates promising applications in environmental remediation, targeted drug delivery, energy conversion, − self-assembly, , and so on. Because surface tension is sensitive to changes in temperature, temperature variation will lead to a surface tension gradient and the consequent fluid flow, which is called the thermal Marangoni effect. , The photothermal Marangoni effect is considered as an effective way for micro/macro-scale objects to realize the self-propulsion because the light, as ubiquitous and versatile energy, is transmitted in a remote, contactless, and accurate manner. − Under light irradiation, a local surface tension gradient can be generated around the objects and propel the objects to move, showing a simple unidirectional self-propulsion mode.…”

“…The Marangoni effect 1−3 refers to mass transfer along with the interface between two fluids due to the surface tension gradient and demonstrates promising applications in environmental remediation, 4 targeted drug delivery, 5 energy conversion, 6−8 self-assembly, 3,9 and so on. Because surface tension is sensitive to changes in temperature, temperature variation will lead to a surface tension gradient and the consequent fluid flow, which is called the thermal Marangoni effect.…”

Functionally Cooperating Mini‐Generator: From Bacterial Fermentation to Electricity

“…Self‐propelled devices, which can convert chemical or physical energy into kinetic energy for automatic locomotion, have aroused widespread interest for their potential applications in cargo transportation, targeted drug delivery, gene therapy, environmental remediation, and dynamic assembly . Moreover, combining self‐propelled motion with Faraday's law to fabricate a mini‐generator has become one promising application of self‐propelled devices because such mini‐generators are highly potential power supply of wearable/implantable devices and ultrasensitive chemical/biomolecular sensors .…”