Diverse superlattices constructed via perylene bisimide type of giant shape amphiphiles: Assisted with unimolecular nanoparticles

Abstract

Complex superlattices formed by spherical motifs in soft matter have attracted more interest in the last two decades. Herein, we report the supramolecular assembly behaviors of four types of giant shape amphiphiles composed of perylene bisimide and isooctyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OPOSS) with different linkages. The glass forming temperatures of these giant shape amphiphiles decrease from 10.3 °C to -14.3 °C with increasing of the linker length. These giant molecules can self-assemble into well-ordered Frank-Kasper (FK) A15 phases. Furthermore, blending with unimolecular nanoparticles, diverse superlattices including FK (such as Laves C15, also called MgCu2) and quasi-FK (such as NaZn13) phases are found. This work could provide a basic understanding towards the phase behaviors of spherical motifs constructed by giant molecules, as well as supports our previous findings about binary blending in complex superlattices formation.