Guidelines for superlattice engineering with giant molecules: The pivotal role of mesoatoms

Abstract

Mesoatoms, micelle-like supramolecular clusters, play a crucial role as intermediate building blocks in the formation of self-assembled superlattices. This Research Update highlights giant molecules (GMs) for their precision at the molecular level, enabling a focused examination of mesoatomic characteristics. It systematically explores practical guidelines in molecular design, with the goal of achieving controlled fabrication of molecule-based superlattices. The categorization of phases based on structural features, ranging from simple spherical packing to quasicrystalline and crystalline arrangements, allows the unraveling of tunable mesoatomic traits like individual size, size difference, stoichiometry, and shape distributions. These traits emerge as pivotal considerations in the strategic design of spherical superlattice phases.