In natural systems, highly synergistic non-covalent interactions among biomolecular components exert mesoscopic control over hierarchical assemblies. We herein present a multicomponent self-assembly strategy to tune hierarchical supramolecular polymer architectures in water using highly affine and directional ureidopyrimidinone-poly(ethylene glycol)s (UPy-PEG). Using scattering methods and oscillatory rheology, we observe the structural and mechanical regulation of entangled monofunctional UPy-PEG fibrils by cross-linking bifunctional UPy-PEG fibrils. This supramolecular mixing approach opens the door to a range of subtly distinct materials for chemical and biological applications.
Harm-Anton Klok, Alberto Ongaro, Irene Filipucci
Francesco Stellacci, Mahmut Selman Sakar, Ece Özelçi, Ahmet Bekdemir, Murat Kaynak, Berna Ayse Özkale Edelmann, Raquel Filipa Penacho Parreira, Lucio Feo Pancaldi-Giubbini
Esther Amstad, Gianluca Nicolas Etienne, Michael David Kessler