Mesostructured Hybrids Containing Potential Donors and Acceptors with Molecular-Scale and Meso-Scale Segregation and Ordering: Toward the Development of Smart Materials through Hierarchical Self-Assembly

A novel self-assembly approach was developed to design and synthesize innovative mesostructured hybrid materials with intimately contacted potential donor ( D ) and acceptor ( A ) domains organized in a three-dimensional ordering. Two specific organic and inorganic components, both of which bear optoelectronic functionalities ( D and A, respectively), were designed and used. Then the one-step self-assembly process locks both D and A molecules into ordered three-dimensional nanostructure, which may allow for the uniform and molecular level controllable organization of the D and A molecules in the central regions of the pore channels and the pore walls of the hybrids, respectively. The optical properties were discussed in relation to the architectures of the materials, which offer an opportunity to disclose the distribution model of organic molecules within the mesostructured hybrids. Obviously, this hierarchical self-assembly of advanced architectures indicates that it should readily be possible to substitute the D and A for alternative different functional groups, which is of great importance toward the development of a family of smart materials for the purpose of constructing novel platforms for field effect transistors, solar cells, and other device applications.