瑞士洛桑联邦理工学院工程学院材料研究所Maartje M. C. Bastings研究团队取得一项新突破。他们的最新研究揭示了界面柔韧性控制着超分子网络的成核和生长。2025年2月13日，国际知名学术期刊《自然-化学》发表了这一成果。

在这里，研究团队引入了“界面柔性”的概念，并证明了它在超分子网络的成核和生长中的关键重要性。作为一个模型系统，研究小组的主题是三对称的基于DNA的大单体，它们通过其尖端的弱π -π相互作用组织成六边形网络。π -π相互作用的方向性和低空间容差意味着取向的微小变化对有效价的影响很大。小组表明，无论亲和度如何，过多的界面灵活性都会破坏网络的形成。调整界面灵活性大大扩展了合成超分子材料的可用设计空间。

据了解，超分子网络在自然界中大量存在，并且像晶体材料一样，通常从最初的成核位置发展，然后基于组分之间的定向相互作用而生长。传统上，结合强度和相互作用的方向性被认为决定了成核和晶体生长，而结构柔韧性则有利于缺陷。通常，高分子单体存在多个具有相对分子内灵活性的结合位点，但这种灵活性对调节网络形成的影响很少受到关注。

附：英文原文

Title: Interface flexibility controls the nucleation and growth of supramolecular networks

Author: Caroprese, Vincenzo, Tekin, Cem, Cencen, Veronika, Mosayebi, Majid, Asmari, Navid, Liverpool, Tanniemola B., Woolfson, Derek N., Fantner, Georg E., Bastings, Maartje M. C.

Issue&Volume: 2025-02-13

Abstract: Supramolecular networks are abundantly present in nature and, like crystalline materials, often develop from an initial nucleation site, followed by growth based on directional interactions between components. Traditionally, the binding strength and directionality of interactions is thought to dictate nucleation and crystal growth, whereas structural flexibility favours defects. Usually, macromonomers present multiple binding sites with relative intramolecular flexibility, but the effects of such flexibility on regulating network formation have been given little attention. Here we introduce the concept of ‘interface flexibility’ and demonstrate its critical importance in the nucleation and growth of supramolecular networks. As a model system, we use trisymmetric DNA-based macromonomers, which organize into hexagonal networks through weak π–π interactions at their tips. The directional nature and low spatial tolerance of π–π interactions mean that small shifts in orientation have a large effect on effective valency. We show that too much interface flexibility disrupts network formation, regardless of affinity. Tuning the interface flexibility greatly expands the available design space for synthetic supramolecular materials.

DOI: 10.1038/s41557-025-01741-y

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-025-01741-y