Self-Assembly of Guest Molecules in a Host Matrix

Organic molecular template methods for creating self-assembled nanostructures of guest molecules in a host matrix are being developed by the group of Heckl. For example, two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded networks on surfaces demonstrate the unique potential of tailoring well-organized supramolecular assemblies for nanotechnology applications. These act as two-dimensional template structures that can order and address nanometer-sized objects such as clusters or functional molecules on surfaces with sub-nanometer precision. With this approach the group aims at creating spatially confined perfectly ordered 2d-arrangements of moieties ranging from biomolecules such as DNA from Carell to small proteins and small inorganic clusters from Rogach.