Programming Dimensional Transitions in DNA Brick Crystals via Interfacial Connectivity

X Xin Huang Y Yue Wang W Wenhe Ma (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, State Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Engineering Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine) Y Yunxiao Lin (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine) B Bochen Li (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine) J Jiang Li (State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica) L Lihua Wang C Chunhai Fan (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine) S Sisi Jia (Zhangjiang Laboratory) X Xiaoguo Liu (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The precise control of assembly dimensionality and macroscopic structural parameters remains a fundamental challenge in molecular self‐assembly. Here, we introduce a programmable strategy to govern the 1D‐to‐2D dimensional transition and structural width of DNA brick crystals by engineering their connecting interfaces. Using the number of interface connecting strands ( N x ) as a quantitative design parameter, we discover a sharp dimensional threshold that is preserved across both honeycomb and square lattices. At N x  ≤ 8, the assembly is strictly confined to one‐dimensional nanoribbons; whereas at N x  ≥ 12, lateral coupling activates extended two‐dimensional arrays whose structural width increases monotonically with N x . Thermal and thermodynamic analyses reveal that this sharp threshold behavior is lattice‐independent and originates from the size‐dependent thermal stability of the laterally connected domains. Our work establishes interfacial connectivity as a predictive handle for the on‐demand engineering of self‐assembled nanostructures with programmable dimensionality and prescribed widths.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 1, Issue 1
Published June 18, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

X

Xin Huang

Y

Yue Wang

W

Wenhe Ma

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, State Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Engineering Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine

Y

Yunxiao Lin

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine

B

Bochen Li

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine

J

Jiang Li

State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica

L

Lihua Wang

C

Chunhai Fan

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine

S

Sisi Jia

Zhangjiang Laboratory

X

Xiaoguo Liu

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine