Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Self-assembly via non-covalent interactions is key to constructing complex architectures with advanced functionalities. A noncovalent synthetic chemistry approach, akin to organic chemistry, allows stepwise construction with enhanced control. Here, we explore this by coupling Pt(II) complex self-assembly with a redox reaction. Oxidation to Pt(IV) creates a non-emissive monomer that, upon reduction to Pt(II), forms luminescent gels with unique kinetic and thermodynamic pathways. UV irradiation induces Pt(IV) reduction, generating supramolecular fibers with Pt∙∙∙Pt interactions, enhancing photophysical properties and enabling visible light absorption up to 550 nm. This allows photoselective growth, where fibers convert surrounding Pt(IV) to Pt(II), promoting growth over nucleation, as observed via real-time fluorescence microscopy. This study presents a strategy to form luminescent gels by chemically reducing non-emissive Pt(IV) complexes to emissive Pt(II). Additionally, UV light can induce Pt(IV) reduction, and the resulting fibers can be selectively elongated with visible light.
Source: Nature Communications
Institutions: University of Padua, University of Parma
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W4410241143