Structural and spectral properties of a non-classical C58 isomer and its fluorinated derivatives in theory

The traditional classical fullerene is only composed of pentagons and hexagons, with many different topologies, of which only a few structures conform to the isolated pentagon rule (IPR), which means all five-membered rings are separated by hexagons, whereas isomers that violate the rule are called non-IPR isomers. In contrast, the non-classical fullerene consists of other kinds of polygons such as squares and heptagons in addition to pentagons and hexagons. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra and X-ray emission spectra (XES), as well as the ground-state electronic/geometrical structures of the important non-IPR isomers C 3v-#1205C58 and C 2-#1078C58, and the remarkable non-classical isomer C s-C58(NC) with its two fluorides C s-C58(NC)F18(A) and C s-C58(NC)F18(B), have been computed at the density functional theory (DFT) level. Significant differences in the electronic structures and simulated X-ray spectra have been observed after fluorination. Meanwhile, strong isomer dependence has been shown in these spectra, which means the "fingerprint" in the X-ray spectra can effectively identify the above-mentioned fullerene isomers. As a consequence, the work can provide useful information especially isomer identification for experimental and theoretical research in fullerene science.

Self-Assembled and Nonassembled Alkylated-Fullerene Materials

Fullerene (C₆₀), a π-conjugated cage molecule consisting of 60 sp²-hybridized carbon atoms that are arranged into perfect icosahedral symmetry, is one of the most extensively studied nanocarbon materials by virtue of its characteristic spherical structure, fascinating optoelectronic properties, and widespread applications in material science. To implement practical applications, C₆₀ is generally used as a building motif to assemble into various ordered superstructures. Unlike the controllable face-to-face π-π interactions of planar π-conjugated molecules, the π-π interactions between the three-dimensional spherical C₆₀ units are random and directionless, which generally lead to complicated aggregated structures and unpredictable properties. The primary target of our research is to produce a robust design strategy for functional C₆₀ materials, by which the single C₆₀ molecules can be engineered into desirable self-organized architectures with optimized functions. To this end, we focused on alkylated fullerene (alk-C₆₀) derivatives, a simple molecular system whose two components, alkyl chains and C₆₀, exhibit both hydrophobicity yet different affinities to organic solvents. As a result, the alk-C₆₀ derivatives present an unusual "hydrophobic amphiphile" system. Through systematic tuning of the substitution pattern of a series of alkyl side chains (number, length, branching, and substitution position) and external experimental conditions, the factors influencing alk-C₆₀ self-assembly behaviors were determined. In addition, the feasibility of forming hybrid coassemblies with alk-C₆₀ and other nanocarbon materials was demonstrated. By taking full advantage of the hydrophobic nature and active optoelectronic properties of these self- or hybrid-assemblies, various superhydrophobic materials and/or optoelectronic devices were developed. However, supported only by weak noncovalent interactions, these ordered superstructures are intrinsically fragile under various external stimuli. To improve the structural stability and achieve consistent optoelectronic performance of these novel materials, we strengthened the ordered structures via metallization and plasticization. Both approaches gave rise to robust and endurable materials with functions inherited from the pristine assemblies but at the cost of their former softness and facile processability. Thereafter, we focused on amorphous materials in view of their consistent and predictable optoelectronic properties that are independent of their geometry and physical environment. Unexpectedly, the amorphous materials obtained were liquids at room temperature, whose excellent deformability might enable applications in flexible/wearable optoelectronic devices. However, the lack of sufficient molecular order impaired their optoelectronic performance. To address this, we devised a straightforward strategy toward the directed ordered self-assembly of the alk-C₆₀ liquids by adding molecular cofactors (n-alkanes or C₆₀) into the liquids. Using this strategy, the balance between intermolecular order and material softness can be readily adjusted to meet different application requirements. Through iterative refinements to our novel alk-C₆₀ system, we have demonstrated its power in generating numerous self-assembled, hybrid-assembled, and nonassembled materials toward versatile applications. We believe such a comprehensive description of these alk-C₆₀-based functional materials provides deep insights into these still-evolving materials, which will underpin more advanced applications in near future.

Self-assembly as a key player for materials nanoarchitectonics

The development of science and technology of advanced materials using nanoscale units can be conducted by a novel concept involving combination of nanotechnology methodology with various research disciplines, especially supramolecular chemistry. The novel concept is called 'nanoarchitectonics' where self-assembly processes are crucial in many cases involving a wide range of component materials. This review of self-assembly processes re-examines recent progress in materials nanoarchitectonics. It is composed of three main sections: (1) the first short section describes typical examples of self-assembly research to outline the matters discussed in this review; (2) the second section summarizes self-assemblies at interfaces from general viewpoints; and (3) the final section is focused on self-assembly processes at interfaces. The examples presented demonstrate the strikingly wide range of possibilities and future potential of self-assembly processes and their important contribution to materials nanoarchitectonics. The research examples described in this review cover variously structured objects including molecular machines, molecular receptors, molecular pliers, molecular rotors, nanoparticles, nanosheets, nanotubes, nanowires, nanoflakes, nanocubes, nanodisks, nanoring, block copolymers, hyperbranched polymers, supramolecular polymers, supramolecular gels, liquid crystals, Langmuir monolayers, Langmuir-Blodgett films, self-assembled monolayers, thin films, layer-by-layer structures, breath figure motif structures, two-dimensional molecular patterns, fullerene crystals, metal-organic frameworks, coordination polymers, coordination capsules, porous carbon spheres, mesoporous materials, polynuclear catalysts, DNA origamis, transmembrane channels, peptide conjugates, and vesicles, as well as functional materials for sensing, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, photovoltaics, charge transport, excitation energy transfer, light-harvesting, photocatalysts, field effect transistors, logic gates, organic semiconductors, thin-film-based devices, drug delivery, cell culture, supramolecular differentiation, molecular recognition, molecular tuning, and hand-operating (hand-operated) nanotechnology.

A review on the mechanical and thermodynamic robustness of superhydrophobic surfaces

Advancements in the fabrication and study of superhydrophobic surfaces have been significant over the past 10years, and some 20years after the discovery of the lotus effect, the study of special wettability surfaces can be considered mainstream. While the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces is well advanced and the physical properties of superhydrophobic surfaces well-understood, the robustness of these surfaces, both in terms of mechanical and thermodynamic properties, are only recently getting attention in the literature. In this review we cover publications that appeared over the past ten years on the thermodynamic and mechanical robustness of superhydrophobic surfaces, by which we mean the long term stability under conditions of wear, shear and pressure. The review is divided into two parts, the first dedicated to thermodynamic robustness and the second dedicated to mechanical robustness of these complex surfaces. Our work is intended as an introductory review for researchers interested in addressing longevity and stability of superhydrophobic surfaces, and provides an outlook on outstanding aspects of investigation.

Template-based syntheses for shape controlled nanostructures

A variety of nanostructured materials are produced through template-based synthesis methods, including zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, and two-dimensional structures. These span different forms such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, nanoflakes, and nanosheets. Many physical characteristics of these materials such as the shape and size can be finely controlled through template selection and as a result, their properties as well. Reviewed here are several examples of these nanomaterials, with emphasis specifically on the templates and synthesis routes used to produce the final nanostructures. In the first section, the templates have been discussed while in the second section, their corresponding synthesis methods have been briefly reviewed, and lastly in the third section, applications of the materials themselves are highlighted. Some examples of the templates frequently encountered are organic structure directing agents, surfactants, polymers, carbon frameworks, colloidal sol-gels, inorganic frameworks, and nanoporous membranes. Synthesis methods that adopt these templates include emulsion-based routes and template-filling approaches, such as self-assembly, electrodeposition, electroless deposition, vapor deposition, and other methods including layer-by-layer and lithography. Template-based synthesized nanomaterials are frequently encountered in select fields such as solar energy, thermoelectric materials, catalysis, biomedical applications, and magnetowetting of surfaces.

Highly dispersed Ag nanoparticles embedded in alumina nanobelts as excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates

The Ag/Al₂O₃ composite nanobelts with nearly monodispersed Ag nanoparticles embedded in alumina nanobelts show excellent SERS performances for the R6G probe molecule.

Electrodeposition of nanoflake Pd structures: structure-dependent wettability and SERS activity

The characteristic properties of metal surfaces, i.e., wettability and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, have been the subject of intensive research because of their useful applications. In the present work, we report a simple electrodeposition of nanoflake Pd structures onto clean Au surfaces without the use of additives. The fine structure of the nanoflake Pd surfaces was regulated by controlling the deposition charge, and the effect of the structural variations on the wettability and SERS activity was examined. The wettability of nanoflake Pd structures in terms of water contact angle was closely related to the fine structures of Pd deposits and their surface roughness. The SERS activity of the nanoflake Pd surfaces was highly dependent on the presence of sharp edge sites on the Pd structures. Well-defined nanoflake Pd structures prepared using a deposition charge of 0.04 C exhibited superhydrophobic natures and reproducible SERS activity. The effect of the metal surface structures on the wettability and the SERS activity demonstrated in this work provides insight into the fabrication of functional metal nanostructures.

Alkyl-π engineering in state control toward versatile optoelectronic soft materials

Organic π-conjugated molecules with extremely rich and tailorable electronic and optical properties are frequently utilized for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices. To achieve high solubility for facile solution processing and desirable softness for flexible device fabrication, the rigid π units were in most cases attached by alkyl chains through chemical modification. Considerable numbers of alkylated-π molecular systems with versatile applications have been reported. However, a profound understanding of the molecular state control through proper alkyl chain substitution is still highly demanded because effective applications of these molecules are closely related to their physical states. To explore the underlying rule, we review a large number of alkylated-π molecules with emphasis on the interplay of van der Waals interactions (vdW) of the alkyl chains and π-π interactions of the π moieties. Based on our comprehensive investigations of the two interactions' impacts on the physical states of the molecules, a clear guidance for state control by alkyl-π engineering is proposed. Specifically, either with proper alkyl chain substitution or favorable additives, the vdW and π-π interactions can be adjusted, resulting in modulation of the physical states and optoelectronic properties of the molecules. We believe the strategy summarized here will significantly benefit the alkyl-π chemistry toward wide-spread applications in optoelectronic devices.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering-active desert-rose-like Ag mesoparticles prepared using cyclic voltammetric methods

Desert-rose-like Ag mesoparticles prepared by cyclic voltammetric method possess excellence SERS-activity, reproducibility, thermal stability and aging behavior.

Zinc oxide/silver nanoarrays as reusable SERS substrates with controllable 'hot-spots' for highly reproducible molecular sensing

HYPOTHESIS

The reproducible surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based sensing of an analyte relies on high quality SERS substrates that offer uniformity over large areas. Uniform ZnO nanoarrays are expected to offer an appropriate platform for SERS sensing. Moreover, since ZnO has good photocatalytic properties, controllable decoration of silver nanoparticles on ZnO nanoarrays may offer an additional opportunity to clean up SERS substrates after each sensing event.

EXPERIMENTS

This study employs a facile soft chemical synthesis strategy to fabricate Raman-active and recyclable ZnO/Ag nanorod arrays as reproducible SERS substrates. Arrays of ZnO nanorods were synthesized using hydrothermal method, which was followed by controllable decoration of ZnO with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using an electroless plating technique.

FINDINGS

The uniform density of SERS-active 'hot-spots' on ZnO nanoarrays could be controlled on a large 1×1 cm(2) substrate. These ZnO/Ag nanoarrays showed high reproducibility (0.132 RSD) towards acquiring SERS spectra of rhodamine B (RB) at 30 random locations on a single substrate. The photocatalytic nature of ZnO/Ag semiconductor/metal hybrid endowed these substrates with reusability characteristics. By controlling metal loading on a semiconductor surface, photocatalytic activity and high SERS performance can be integrated within a single package to obtain high quality, reproducible, stable and recyclable SERS substrates.

Nanoplasmonic modification of the local morphology, shape, and wetting properties of nanoflake microparticles

Inducing a phase transition of a self-organized object may trigger its structural transformation. Here, we demonstrate local control of the morphology and shape of self-organized microparticles with a nanoflake outer surface by nanoplasmonic heating. To increase the photothermal efficiency of the microparticles, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) or single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were incorporated. AuNPs and SWCNTs, which have excellent photothermal activity, acts as photoresponsive heat converters. Because they have distinct absorption characteristics, visible or near-infrared lasers can be used to induce local heating. The photothermal effect was used to spatially confine the melting to the space within the particle and the aggregate; as a result, microparticles with various shapes and morphologies have been fabricated. Such morphological changes lead to a superhydrophobic-hydrophobic wetting transition, which was confirmed by the films constituting the microparticles. The work presented is seen useful for anisotropic particle synthesis, local wetting control, lithography, and morphological control of functional materials.

Optoelectronic functional materials based on alkylated-π molecules: self-assembled architectures and nonassembled liquids

The engineering of single molecules into higher-order hierarchical assemblies is a current research focus in molecular materials chemistry. Molecules containing π-conjugated units are an important class of building blocks because their self-assembly is not only of fundamental interest, but also the key to fabricating functional systems for organic electronic and photovoltaic applications. Functionalizing the π-cores with "alkyl chains" is a common strategy in the molecular design that can give the system desirable properties, such as good solubility in organic solvents for solution processing. Moreover, the alkylated-π system can regulate the self-assembly behavior by fine-tuning the intermolecular forces. The optimally assembled structures can then exhibit advanced functions. However, while some general rules have been revealed, a comprehensive understanding of the function played by the attached alkyl chains is still lacking, and current methodology is system-specific in many cases. Better clarification of this issue requires contributions from carefully designed libraries of alkylated-π molecular systems in both self-assembly and nonassembly materialization strategies. Here, based on recent efforts toward this goal, we show the power of the alkyl chains in controlling the self-assembly of soft molecular materials and their resulting optoelectronic properties. The design of alkylated-C60 is selected from our recent research achievements, as the most attractive example of such alkylated-π systems. Some other closely related systems composed of alkyl chains and π-units are also reviewed to indicate the universality of the methodology. Finally, as a contrast to the self-assembled molecular materials, nonassembled, solvent-free, novel functional liquid materials are discussed. In doing so, a new journey toward the ultimate organic "soft" materials is introduced, based on alkylated-π molecular design.

Recent advances in designing superhydrophobic surfaces

The interest in superhydrophobic surfaces has grown exponentially over recent decades. Since the lotus leaf dual hierarchical structure was discovered, researchers have investigated the foundations of self-cleaning behavior. Generally, surface micro/nanostructuring combined with low surface energy of materials leads to extreme anti-wetting properties. The great number of papers on this subject attests the efforts of scientists in mimicking nature to generate superhydrophobicity. Besides the thirst for knowledge, scientists have been driven by the many possible industrial applications of superhydrophobic materials in several fields. Many methods and techniques have been developed to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces, and the aim of this paper is to review the recent progresses in preparing manmade superhydrophobic surfaces.

Paradigm shift from self-assembly to commanded assembly of functional materials: recent examples in porphyrin/fullerene supramolecular systems

Current nanotechnology based on top-down nanofabrication may encounter a variety of drawbacks in the near future so that development of alternative methods, including the so-called bottom-up approach, has attracted considerable attention. However, the bottom-up strategy, which often relies on spontaneous self-assembly, might be inefficient in the development of the requisite functional materials and systems. Therefore, assembly processes controlled by external stimuli might be a plausible strategy for the development of bottom-up nanotechnology. In this review, we demonstrate a paradigm shift from self-assembly to commanded assembly by describing several examples of assemblies of typical functional molecules, i.e. porphyrins and fullerenes. In the first section, we describe recent progress in the design and study of self-assembled and co-assembled supramolecular architectures of porphyrins and fullerenes. Then, we show examples of assembly induced by external stimuli. We emphasize the paradigm shift from self-assembly to commanded assembly by describing the recently developed electrochemical-coupling layer-by-layer (ECC-LbL) methodology.

One-pot synthesis of dendritic gold nanostructures in aqueous solutions of quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants: effects of the head group and hydrocarbon chain length

Hierarchical, three-fold symmetrical dendritic gold was prepared in an aqueous solution of the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). Similar surfactants with different head groups and hydrocarbon chain lengths were also used for comparison. Two-fold and one-fold symmetrical dendritic gold nanostructures were obtained in N-dodecyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bromide (C(12)-MPB) and dodecyltriethylammonium bromide (DTEAB) aqueous solutions, respectively. Longer hydrocarbon chain lengths were unfavorable for the formation of dendritic nanostructures. The interaction energies between the individual surfactants and Au (111) plane were calculated using molecular dynamics simulations. Based on a series of contrast experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, the possible growth mechanism and fabrication process of the dendritic structures were proposed. The DTAB-capped, three-fold gold dendrites exhibited good surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensitivity toward rhodamine 6G (R6G), indicating their potential for use in SERS-based detections and analysis. This work provides a simple and effective strategy for fabricating dendritic gold nanostructures in aqueous solutions.

Fullerene hollow microspheres prepared by bubble-templates as sensitive and selective electrocatalytic sensor for biomolecules

We developed an electrocatalytic sensor based on C(60) hollow microspheres for highly sensitive and selective detection of dopamine (DA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA) in the presence of l-cysteine (RSH). The hollow microspheres of C(60) with a diameter controllable in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 μm and a thickness of 200 nm are synthesized by a high-temperature reprecipitation method with the assistance of alcohol bubbles. The superhydrophobicity of C(60) hollow microspheres makes them capable of forming a compact thin film at air/water interface, which can be readily transferred on the surface of gold or glassy carbon electrodes. This porous C(60) film made from C(60) hollow microspheres shows a specific surface area as high as 107 m(2) g(-1). In order to obtain a conducting film, the C(60)-modified electrode is pretreated by scanning the potential range from 0.0 to -1.5 V in 1 M KOH followed by potential cycling between 550 to -50 mV in a pH 7.2 phosphate buffer solution. On the basis of XPS and IR measurements, we found that surface oxides, such as -OH and C═O groups, are introduced on the surfaces of the conducting C(60) film. This, combined with the porosity that enhances the adsorption activity of C(60)-modified electrodes, enable the electrocatalytic analysis of target biomolecules with detection limit as low as 0.1 nM for DA in the presence of AA, and 1 μM for UA in the presence of RSH.

Mimicking natural superhydrophobic surfaces and grasping the wetting process: a review on recent progress in preparing superhydrophobic surfaces

A typical superhydrophobic (ultrahydrophobic) surface can repel water droplets from wetting itself, and the contact angle of a water droplet resting on a superhydrophobic surface is greater than 150°, which means extremely low wettability is achievable on superhydrophobic surfaces. Many superhydrophobic surfaces (both manmade and natural) normally exhibit micro- or nanosized roughness as well as hierarchical structure, which somehow can influence the surface's water repellence. As the research into superhydrophobic surfaces goes deeper and wider, it is becoming more important to both academic fields and industrial applications. In this work, the most recent progress in preparing manmade superhydrophobic surfaces through a variety of methodologies, particularly within the past several years, and the fundamental theories of wetting phenomena related to superhydrophobic surfaces are reviewed. We also discuss the perspective of natural superhydrophobic surfaces utilized as mimicking models. The discussion focuses on how the superhydrophobic property is promoted on solid surfaces and emphasizes the effect of surface roughness and structure in particular. This review aims to enable researchers to perceive the inner principles of wetting phenomena and employ suitable methods for creation and modification of superhydrophobic surfaces.

Peptide mesocrystals as templates to create an Au surface with stronger surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic properties

The design and fabrication of various nanostructures with predefined geometry and composition is a big challenge of nanotechnology. Here we demonstrate an Au nanoflake film replicated from a self-assembled, well-ordered, dipeptide flower-like hierarchical architecture. Such morphology can give rise to useful and remarkable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) properties. We obtained these nanostructures by using a scaffold of flake-built spherical dipeptide aggregations. Gold nanoparticles were sputtered on the surface of as-assembled dipeptide by an etching system. After removing the dipeptide templates by ethanol, a metal crust was left with a morphology similar to that of the dipeptide hierarchical structure. The different steps within the process were monitored by using electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS) analysis and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cyclic voltammetry and Raman spectra were employed to prove the SERS effect of the obtained Au substrates. The enhancement factor is estimated to be about 10(4) for 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) molecules on the Au nanoflake surfaces.

Large-area fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces for practical applications: an overview

This review summarizes the key topics in the field of large-area fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces, concentrating on substrates that have been used in commercial applications. Practical approaches to superhydrophobic surface construction and hydrophobization are discussed. Applications of superhydrophobic surfaces are described and future trends in superhydrophobic surfaces are predicted.

By what means should nanoscaled materials be constructed: molecule, medium, or human?

There is great potential in nanoscale science and technology, and construction of macrosized materials and systems possessing nanoscale structural features is a crucial factor in the everyday application of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Because nanoscale substances are often constructed through self-assembly of unit molecules and nanomaterials, control of the self-assembly process is required. In order to establish general guidelines for the fabrication of materials with nanoscale structural characteristics, i.e., nanoscaled materials, we introduce here examples of recent research in related fields categorised as: (i) self-assembled structures with forms generally determined by intrinsic interactions between molecules and/or unit nanomaterials, (ii) self-assemblies influenced by their surrounding media, especially interfacial environments, (iii) modulation of self-assembly by artificial operation or external stimuli. Examples are not limited to organic molecules, which are often regarded as the archetypal species in self-assembly chemistry, and many examples of inorganic assemblies and hybrid structures are included in this review.

Solvent engineering for shape-shifter pure fullerene (C60)

As a highly anticipated technique for bottom-up nanotechnology, i.e., shape control of pure functional molecules, we here report controlled formation of two-dimensional (2D) objects such as hexagons and rhombi and their selective shape shifting into one-dimensional (1D) rods through solvent-dependent changes of crystal lattice, all from pure C(60). Uniformly shaped rhombi and hexagons were obtained at tert-butyl alcohol/toluene and i-propyl alcohol/CCl(4) interfaces, respectively. In addition, exposure of these 2D nanosheets to water induced selective transformation into 1D nanorods. Nanorhombi were converted to short nanorods upon exposure to water. This shape shift is accompanied by changes in crystalline structures from a mixed fcc/hexagonal to pure fcc lattice, the latter of which is almost identical with morphologically similar C(60) nanowhiskers. Metastable nanorhombi which possess a strained mixed crystalline structure metamorphosize into the more stable short nanowhisker (nanorods). In contrast, the stable nanohexagon of a single lattice (and so less strain) does not undergo shape shifting. These results clearly demonstrate controlled formation of 2D nanosheets with various shapes (hexagons, rhombi, etc.) and selective shape shifting to nanorods (short nanowhiskers) all from pure C(60) molecules by very simple solvent treatments.