Flow-induced-crystallization: tailoring host–guest supramolecular co-assemblies at the liquid–solid interface

Abstract

Here, we report that using the method of simply contacting a sample solution droplet with a piece of tissue paper can create a solvent flow (capillary force). During this process, the dynamics and solvent removal can promote the formation and stabilization of a meta-stable linear quasi-crystal composed of p-terphenyl-3,5,3′,5′-tetracarboxylic acid (TPTC) molecules, which would otherwise pack into thermodynamically favored random tiling. The tailored quasi-crystal (linear) template allows atop it higher-efficiency accommodation of fullerene molecules (C₆₀) from 40.1% to 97.5%, compared with that obtained in the random-tiling (porous) case. Overall, the result of this study presents an unusual yet remarkably simple strategy for tailoring complex host–guest supramolecular systems at the liquid–solid interface.