Single-step fabrication of large-scale patterned honeycomb structures via self-assembly of a small organic molecule

Abstract

Microstructures with regular patterns, in particular, honeycomb-patterned structures have attracted extensive attention in various applications, such as photonic crystals, cell cultures, protein patterning, and superhydrophobic coatings. Here we report the successful single-step fabrication of large-scale honeycomb-patterned structures on a variety of substrates via self-assembly of an azobenzene derivative, N-(3,4,5-octanoxyphenyl)-N′-4-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)azophenyl]1,3,4-oxadiazole (AOB-t8). Factors such as concentration, substrate, solvent evaporation temperature and the relative humidity are revealed to be able to control the size of the formed micropores. A model to describe the dynamical formation of honeycomb structures from AOB-t8 has been proposed. The used method in this work demonstrates the potential to open up new possibilities for preparing large-scale, orderly structured materials from low mass organic molecules, which is of significance in a variety of potential applications.