Quantification of energy of activation to supramolecular nanofibre formation reveals enthalpic and entropic effects and morphological consequence.

ABSTRACT: We show a self-assembly process leading to fibres from a system that starts far from equilibrium because of fast solvent - anti-solvent mixing and analyse the activation energies associated with the aggregation. It is in some ways reminiscent of diverse natural fibrous materials that have kinetic behaviour dominated by a rate limiting induction period followed by rapid growth. A full thermodynamic rationale for these systems and related synthetic ones is required for a full understanding of the driving force of their non-equilibrium self-assembly. Here we determine quantitatively the enthalpy and entropy of activation for the processes leading to the growth of fibres of this type, that contrasts with analysis of other systems where final energetic states are analysed. A dramatic effect is

SUBMITTER: Samperi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6968731 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature