Instability-induced crystal self-assembly in film-substrate system for the construction of large-area micro- and nano-chiral structures
Abstract Chiral supramolecular self-assembly structures demonstrate properties far surpassing achiral counterparts, with broad applications in optoelectronics, biomedicine, and interfaces. However, controlled construction of mesoscopic/macroscopic chiral structures remains challenging due to limited...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60635-2 |
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| _version_ | 1849238627494658048 |
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| author | Fushuai Wang Quanzi Yuan Xinghua Shi |
| author_facet | Fushuai Wang Quanzi Yuan Xinghua Shi |
| author_sort | Fushuai Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Chiral supramolecular self-assembly structures demonstrate properties far surpassing achiral counterparts, with broad applications in optoelectronics, biomedicine, and interfaces. However, controlled construction of mesoscopic/macroscopic chiral structures remains challenging due to limited understanding of chirality generation and cross-scale transmission mechanisms. Here, we report an instability-induced crystal self-assembly (IICSA) method where mechanical disturbances trigger structural instability in ibuprofen films, transforming disordered states into large-area ordered chiral structures featuring lamella and left-/right-handed fiber combinations through textured grain stacking. Based on the two-dimensional film model, direct visualization and active control of self-assembly dynamics are realized. Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal how surface/interface effects, geometry effects, and solid-liquid interactions collectively govern the self-assembly dynamics. These chiral structures further demonstrate programmable wettability modulation for surface engineering applications. This study deciphers mechanisms of supramolecular chirality generation and cross-scale transmission while providing a controllable paradigm for constructing mesoscopic/macroscopic chiral systems, advancing functional chiral material design. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7980fd218e6e4142aa6c8e78b802e1ca |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-7980fd218e6e4142aa6c8e78b802e1ca2025-08-20T04:01:34ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111210.1038/s41467-025-60635-2Instability-induced crystal self-assembly in film-substrate system for the construction of large-area micro- and nano-chiral structuresFushuai Wang0Quanzi Yuan1Xinghua Shi2Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of SciencesLaboratory of Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Chiral supramolecular self-assembly structures demonstrate properties far surpassing achiral counterparts, with broad applications in optoelectronics, biomedicine, and interfaces. However, controlled construction of mesoscopic/macroscopic chiral structures remains challenging due to limited understanding of chirality generation and cross-scale transmission mechanisms. Here, we report an instability-induced crystal self-assembly (IICSA) method where mechanical disturbances trigger structural instability in ibuprofen films, transforming disordered states into large-area ordered chiral structures featuring lamella and left-/right-handed fiber combinations through textured grain stacking. Based on the two-dimensional film model, direct visualization and active control of self-assembly dynamics are realized. Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal how surface/interface effects, geometry effects, and solid-liquid interactions collectively govern the self-assembly dynamics. These chiral structures further demonstrate programmable wettability modulation for surface engineering applications. This study deciphers mechanisms of supramolecular chirality generation and cross-scale transmission while providing a controllable paradigm for constructing mesoscopic/macroscopic chiral systems, advancing functional chiral material design.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60635-2 |
| spellingShingle | Fushuai Wang Quanzi Yuan Xinghua Shi Instability-induced crystal self-assembly in film-substrate system for the construction of large-area micro- and nano-chiral structures Nature Communications |
| title | Instability-induced crystal self-assembly in film-substrate system for the construction of large-area micro- and nano-chiral structures |
| title_full | Instability-induced crystal self-assembly in film-substrate system for the construction of large-area micro- and nano-chiral structures |
| title_fullStr | Instability-induced crystal self-assembly in film-substrate system for the construction of large-area micro- and nano-chiral structures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Instability-induced crystal self-assembly in film-substrate system for the construction of large-area micro- and nano-chiral structures |
| title_short | Instability-induced crystal self-assembly in film-substrate system for the construction of large-area micro- and nano-chiral structures |
| title_sort | instability induced crystal self assembly in film substrate system for the construction of large area micro and nano chiral structures |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60635-2 |
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