Caught in Action: Visualizing Dynamic Nanostructures Within Supramolecular Systems Chemistry

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol. 62; no. 8; pp. e202208681 - n/a
• Main Authors: Venugopal, Akhil, Ruiz‐Perez, Lorena, Swamynathan, K., Kulkarni, Chidambar, Calò, Annalisa, Kumar, Mohit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 13.02.2023
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Chemistry; Liquid TEM; Microscopy; Molecular dynamics; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology; Super-Resolution Microscopy; Supramolecular Chemistry; Systems Chemistry; Transmission electron microscopy; Visualization; Liquid TEM; Systems Chemistry; Nanostructures; Supramolecular Chemistry; Super-Resolution Microscopy
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202208681

Supramolecular systems chemistry has been an area of active research to develop nanomaterials with life‐like functions. Progress in systems chemistry relies on our ability to probe the nanostructure formation in solution. Often visualizing the dynamics of nanostructures which transform over time is a formidable challenge. This necessitates a paradigm shift from dry sample imaging towards solution‐based techniques. We review the application of state‐of‐the‐art techniques for real‐time, in situ visualization of dynamic self‐assembly processes. We present how solution‐based techniques namely optical super‐resolution microscopy, solution‐state atomic force microscopy, liquid‐phase transmission electron microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations and other emerging techniques are revolutionizing our understanding of active and adaptive nanomaterials with life‐like functions. This Review provides the visualization toolbox and futuristic vision to tap the potential of dynamic nanomaterials. As supramolecular chemistry begins to develop dynamic nanostructures that change over time, it becomes imperative to visualize self‐assembly processes in solution in real‐time. Our Review demonstrates how solution‐based visualization techniques, namely optical super‐resolution microscopy, atomic force and electron microscopy in liquid, and molecular dynamics simulations, have enriched our understanding of nanomaterials to obtain novel functions.