Abstract：

Supramolecular nanotechnology aims to develop non-covalent synthetic techniques for functional nanomaterials. Substantial knowledge has been created in recent years, it is therefore crucial to develop ideas on how to use this established knowledge. With this perspective, we have made effort, by using developed block copolymer assemblies, to address a number of important scientific questions, e.g. whether C60 is toxic? Whether nucleation and growth of metal atoms can be manipulated? Whether nanoassembles can be precisely prepared? We also developed a technique, building on well-developed emulsion chemistry, for controlled synthesis of metal coordination nanoparticle. On the other hand, several challenges encountered in the field cannot be resolved without developing new knowledge. One of these challenges is how to self-assemble hydrophobic molecules into uniform vesicles in water. We have resolved this issue via the discovery of hydration-driven self-assembly of metal carbonyls. The resultant metal carbonyl assemblies possess a range of novel properties, e.g aggregation-induced self-enhanced IR spectroscopy and unusual encapsulation behaviour, which represent a new group of materials for nanotechnology.

 

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