Crystallization-Induced Redox-Active Nanoribbons of Organometallic Polymers

Polymer/inorganic functional nanostructures are essential for the fabrication of high-performance nanodevices in the future. The synthesis of hybrid nanostructures is hindered by complicated synthetic protocols or harsh conditions. Herein, we report a facile and scalable method for the synthesis of organometallic polymer nanoribbons through crystallization of polymers capped with a ferrate complex. Nanoribbons consisted of a single crystalline polymer lamella coated with a redox-active ferrate complex on both sides. The nanoribbons had a width of approximately 70 nm and a thickness of 10 nm. With the merit of highly ordered crystalline structures of polymers and functional coating layers, as well as a highly anisotropic nature, the nanoribbons are useful in nanodevices and biosensors.

Large-scale synthesis of organometallic polymer flowers with ultrathin petals for hydrogen peroxide sensing

A facile and efficient approach for large-scale synthesis of organometallic polymer flowers with ultrathin petals has been developed.

Amphiphilic nanocapsules entangled with organometallic coordination polymers for controlled cargo release

A class of new amphiphilic nanocapsules entangled with organometallic coordination polymers has been developed for the first time. Poly(2-(N,N-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate)-b-polystyrene capped with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) (CD-PDMAEMA-b-PS) is first synthesized using sequent RAFT polymerization of styrene and 2-(N,N-dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate with xanthate modified β-CD as chain transfer agent. The end group of β-CD is allowed to include 4,4'-bipyridine through host-guest inclusion to yield PDMAEMA-b-PS terminated with an inclusion complex of β-CD and bipyridine (bpy-PDMAEMA-b-PS), which is then used as surfactant to prepare emulsion droplets in toluene/water mixture. Upon addition of Ni(II), bipyridine coordinates with Ni(II) to form coordination polymers in the periphery of emulsion droplets, affording amphiphilic capsules entangled with organometallic coordination polymers, as confirmed by GPC, (1)H NMR, SEM, TEM, DLS, and so on. The organometallic coordination polymer capsules are capable of encapsulating organic cargoes. Interestingly, encapsulated cargoes can be extracted from the capsules without damaging the capsules. Such capsules are potential candidates for encapsulating and controlled release of organic cargoes.

Crystallization-Induced Hybrid Nano-Sheets of Fluorescent Polymers with Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics for Sensitive Explosive Detection

Fluorescent organic hybrid nanosheets were generated by crystallization of polymers capped with luminogenic molecules exhibiting aggregation-induced emission characteristics (AIE). During crystallization of polymers, AIE molecules were expelled out of lamellar crystals of polymers, and finally resided on the surface. The fluorescent nanosheets with dangling AIE molecules showed sensitive and specific response to explosives. Such polymer crystallization-induced fluorescent nanomaterials offers a unique avenue to fabricate functional nanomaterials with AIE molecule-enriched domains for potential applications in nanodevices, biological engineering, and so on.