Metallurgical alloy approach to two-dimensional supramolecular materials

Alloys are normally mixtures of metallic elements used to search for superior functional properties compared with their individual com-ponents. Although a quintessential approach to better materials in metallurgy, the concept of alloying has been expanded to other inorganic materials and covalent polymers. We report here on alloy formation of small organic molecules structured as amphiphilic chro-mophores in water. Using X-ray scattering, microscopy, and optical spectroscopy, we unambiguously demonstrate the formation of su-pramolecular alloys with changes in physical, photophysical, and mechanical properties. Additionally, we identify single-crystalline, two-dimensional supramolecular polymers containing multiple mo-lecular species, analogous to intermetallic compounds. The mecha-nism of alloy formation suggests the possibility of controlled growth in these supramolecular assemblies to create emergent functional structures.

Automated summary

Alloys are mixtures of metallic elements used to search for superior functional properties. In this study, we demonstrate the formation of supramolecular alloys with changes in physical, photophysical, and mechanical properties using small organic molecules in water. We also identify supramolecular polymers containing multiple molecular species, similar to intermetallic compounds. The mechanism of alloy formation suggests the potential for controlled growth to create emergent functional structures in these assemblies.