Self-Assembling Nanocomposite Tectons

The physical characteristics of composite materials are dictated by both the chemical composition and spatial configuration of each constituent phase. A major challenge in nanoparticle-based composites is developing methods to precisely dictate particle positions at the nanometer length scale, as this would allow complete control over nanocomposite structure property relationships. In this work, we present a new class of building blocks called nanocomposite tectons (NCTs), which consist of inorganic nanoparticles grafted with a dense layer of polymer chains that terminate in molecular recognition units capable of programmed supramolecular bonding. By tuning various design factors, including the particle size and polymer length, we can use the supramolecular interactions between NCTs to controllably alter their assembly behavior, enabling the formation of well-ordered body-centered cubic superlattices consisting of inorganic nanoparticles surrounded by polymer chains. NCTs therefore present a modular platform that enables the construction of composite materials where the composition and three-dimensional arrangement of different constituents within the composite can be independently controlled.