Structural Characterization of supramolecule/nanoparticle nanocomposites

Supramolecular nanocomposites offer great opportunities toward functional materials. However, these systems also challenge our basic understanding in self-assembly in multiple component systems. The multicomponent nature of the supramolecular system introduces significant complexity in mapping out the hierarchical spatial distribution of each building block. To this end, various techniques have been adopted to decouple the convoluted structures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy tomography (STEMT) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) collaboratively determined the hexagonal structure of nanoparticle superlattice. Resonant X-ray scattering (RSoXS) provides a novel opportunity to selectively characterize the lamellar arrangement of supramolecular matrix. Finally, a model is proposed for the nanocomposite morphology based on these results that is critical toward delineation of energetic contribution from individual component.