Polarization-dependent SMLM revealing highly heterogeneity within self-assembled nanofibers

Molecular self-assembly can generate precise structures. Understanding and fine-tuning the properties of supramolecular self-assembly is crucial, as it provides insights into fundamental chemical and physical processes. Although CD spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy or IR spectroscopy provides the ensemble information of supramolecular assembly, it is still a challenge to probe the photophysical property of localized spots. Here, polarization-dependent single-molecule localization microscopy (p-SMLM) was employed to investigate the self-assembled nanofibers of SachCHO. Results showed that the highly heterogeneous emission properties of SachCHO fibers could be well probed by p-SMLM. In combination with electron microscopy, the morphological information and photophysical property can be well correlated for such supramolecular self-assembly.