Static Electricity‐Responsive Supramolecular Assembly

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive materials can convert between molecular scale and macroscopic scale phenomena. Two macroscopic static electricity-responsive phenomena based on nanoscale supramolecular assemblies of a zinc porphyrin derivative are presented. One example involves the movement of supramolecular assemblies in response to static electricity. The assembly of a pyridine (Py) complex of the above-mentioned derivative in cyclohexane is drawn to a positively charged material, whereas the assembly of a 3,5-dimethylpyridine complex is drawn to a negatively charged material. The second phenomenon involves the movement of a non-polar solvent in response to static electrical stimulation. A cyclohexane solution containing a small quantity of the Py-complexed assembly exhibited a strong movement response towards negatively charged materials. Based on spectroscopic measurements and electron microscope observations, it was revealed that the assembled formation generates the observed response to static electricity.

Competing Interactions in Hierarchical Porphyrin Self-Assembly Introduce Robustness in Pathway Complexity

“…Despite the great insight that has been gained throughout the past decades into the behavior of these molecules, still new and intriguing phenomena are observed in porphyrin-based systems. For example, the group of Ribó and co-workers showed that the direction of stirring induces chirality in supra­molecular aggregates of achiral porphyrin monomers. , In another example, Kihara et al reported that coordination control over supra­molecular polymers unexpectedly induces responsiveness to static electricity. Previously, we reported that aggregation can be achieved by diluting the system through the addition of coordinating ligands to a supra­molecular porphyrin, whereas concentration increases lead to destruction of the polymer …”

Photochromic Carbon Nanomaterials: An Emerging Class of Light‐Driven Hybrid Functional Materials

“…[106] Figure 5. a) Chemical structures of linear 𝜋-conjugated ABs 14, [107] 15 and 16, [108] 17 and 18, [109] 19, [110] and 20; [111] b) 𝜋-𝜋 interactions between the supramolecular 21 and MWCNTs: i) molecular design based on a solubility linker and H-bond recognition site beside the azo photoresponsive core; ii) graphic of the isomerization process between trans-21, and iii) cis-21 with the MWCNT exo-surface. Reproduced with permission.…”

“…Reproduced under the terms of the CC-BY 4.0 license. [107] Copyright 2017, The Authors. e) light-induced switching of 22-SWCNT hybrid.…”

“…Tuning the dispersibility of SWCNTs by the photoisomerization of AB-derived dispersant 14 was reported. [107] Upon UV/Vis irradiation, 14-SWCNT exhibited rapid switching between dispersion and precipitation. Photo-and thermally-responsive AB polymers 15 and 16 were synthesized as removable dispersants for SWNTs in organic solvents.…”

“…[116] Photoresponsive dispersant 14 also switched between dispersion and precipitation upon UV/Vis irradiation (Figure 5d). [107] In the initial state, 14 disperse SWCNTs in polar organic solvents (trans-isomer). Upon UV irradiation, 14 exhibited a trans-to-cis isomerization.…”