Functional Materials Based on Noncovalent Self-Assembly in Aqueous Media

Self-assembly of aromatic systems in aqueous media was employed to create new functional materials. We will present our work on adaptive materials capable of reversible supramolecular depolymerization, which enables switching of mechanical properties and optical functions. Related to the challenge of using noncovalent materials in real-life applications, we will describe our recent work on a tough hybrid supramolecular membrane for nanofiltration/water purification,¹ and a new family of materials based on organic nanocrystals and carbon nanotubes.²

1. Cohen, H. Weissman, E. Shimoni, I. Kaplan-Ashiri, K. Werle, W. Wohlleben, B. Rybtchinski

"Robust Aqua Material: A Pressure-Resistant Self-Assembled Membrane for Water Purification", Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 2203–2207. Highlights: ChemViews Magazine 18 January 2017 and additional ten science news outlets. Altmeter score of 100

2. A. Niazov-Elkan, H. Weissman, S. Dutta, S. R. Cohen, M. A. Iron, I. Pinkas, T. Bendikov, B. Rybtchinski

“Self-assembled Hybrid Materials Based on Organic Nanocrystals and Carbon Nanotubes”, Adv. Mater. 2017, accepted.