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Title: Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules

Abstract

Unique properties (e.g., rubber elasticity, viscoelasticity, folding, reptation) determine the utility of polymer molecules and derive from their morphology (i.e., one-dimensional connectivity and large aspect ratios) and flexibility. Crystals do not display similar properties because they have smaller aspect ratios, they are rigid, and they are often too large and heavy to be colloidally stable. We argue, with the support of recent experimental studies, that these limitations are not fundamental and that they might be overcome by growth processes that mimic polymerization. Furthermore, we (i) discuss the similarities between crystallization and polymerization, (ii) critically review the existing experimental evidence of polymer-like growth kinetic and behavior in crystals and nanostructures, and (iii) propose heuristic guidelines for the synthesis of “polymer-like” crystals and assemblies. Understanding these anisotropic materials at the boundary between molecules and solids will determine whether we can confer the unique properties of polymer molecules to crystals, expanding them with topology, dynamics, and information and not just tuning them with size.

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Iowa State University
  2. Ames Laboratory
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
OSTI Identifier:
1132291
Report Number(s):
IS-J 8195
Journal ID: ISSN 1521-4095
DOE Contract Number:  
DE-AC02-07CH11358
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Advanced Materials (Online)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 25; Journal Issue: 35; Journal ID: ISSN 1521-4095
Publisher:
Wiley
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; POLYMERS; CRYSTALLIZATION; NANOSTRUCTURES; nanowires; polymers; crystallization; nanostructures; self-assembly

Citation Formats

Shaw, Santosh, and Cademartiri, Ludovico. Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.1002/adma.201300850.
Shaw, Santosh, & Cademartiri, Ludovico. Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201300850
Shaw, Santosh, and Cademartiri, Ludovico. 2013. "Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201300850.
@article{osti_1132291,
title = {Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules},
author = {Shaw, Santosh and Cademartiri, Ludovico},
abstractNote = {Unique properties (e.g., rubber elasticity, viscoelasticity, folding, reptation) determine the utility of polymer molecules and derive from their morphology (i.e., one-dimensional connectivity and large aspect ratios) and flexibility. Crystals do not display similar properties because they have smaller aspect ratios, they are rigid, and they are often too large and heavy to be colloidally stable. We argue, with the support of recent experimental studies, that these limitations are not fundamental and that they might be overcome by growth processes that mimic polymerization. Furthermore, we (i) discuss the similarities between crystallization and polymerization, (ii) critically review the existing experimental evidence of polymer-like growth kinetic and behavior in crystals and nanostructures, and (iii) propose heuristic guidelines for the synthesis of “polymer-like” crystals and assemblies. Understanding these anisotropic materials at the boundary between molecules and solids will determine whether we can confer the unique properties of polymer molecules to crystals, expanding them with topology, dynamics, and information and not just tuning them with size.},
doi = {10.1002/adma.201300850},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1132291}, journal = {Advanced Materials (Online)},
issn = {1521-4095},
number = 35,
volume = 25,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Sep 20 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Fri Sep 20 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}