Social Self‐Sorting of Colloidal Families in Co‐Assembling Microgel Systems

Colloids are valuable model systems to understand the structure and dynamics of matter, explore new self‐assembly concepts, and realize advanced materials. Herein, we demonstrate social self‐sorting of co‐assembled families of colloids by orthogonal host/guest recognition using cyclodextrins. We show that mixtures of four partners self‐sort into their respective families without mutual interference. Additionally, the self‐assemblies and their interactions are switchable using orthogonal triggers. This study goes beyond previous features of molecular self‐sorting, and opens the design space for future self‐sorting colloidal systems via rationally designed molecular recognition.     

Der lange Weg zum Makromolekül

At about 1920 Hermann Staudinger coined the term macromolecule. It is based on Berzelius' term polymeric and has a long history, including Grahams' colloids and Naegelis micelles. Finally, in the 1930 the theses of Staudinger on size and structure of macromolecules were generally accepted and macromolecular chemistry is since that time the basis of the industry of plastics and rubber.