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Zhang B, Martens K, Kneer L, Funck T, Nguyen L, Berger R, Dass M, Kempter S, Schmidtke J, Liedl T, Kitzerow HS. DNA Origami Nano-Sheets and Nano-Rods Alter the Orientational Order in a Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystal. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1695. [PMID: 32872176 PMCID: PMC7560128 DOI: 10.3390/nano10091695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Rod-like and sheet-like nano-particles made of desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fabricated by the DNA origami method (base sequence-controlled self-organized folding of DNA) are dispersed in a lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal made of an aqueous solution of disodium cromoglycate. The respective liquid crystalline nanodispersions are doped with a dichroic fluorescent dye and their orientational order parameter is studied by means of polarized fluorescence spectroscopy. The presence of the nano-particles is found to slightly reduce the orientational order parameter of the nematic mesophase. Nano-rods with a large length/width ratio tend to preserve the orientational order, while more compact stiff nano-rods and especially nano-sheets reduce the order parameter to a larger extent. In spite of the difference between the sizes of the DNA nano-particles and the rod-like columnar aggregates forming the liquid crystal, a similarity between the shapes of the former and the latter seems to be better compatible with the orientational order of the liquid crystal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingru Zhang
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Paderborn, Warburger Straße 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (B.Z.); (J.S.)
| | - Kevin Martens
- Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; (K.M.); (L.K.); (T.F.); (L.N.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (S.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Luisa Kneer
- Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; (K.M.); (L.K.); (T.F.); (L.N.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (S.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Timon Funck
- Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; (K.M.); (L.K.); (T.F.); (L.N.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (S.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Linh Nguyen
- Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; (K.M.); (L.K.); (T.F.); (L.N.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (S.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Ricarda Berger
- Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; (K.M.); (L.K.); (T.F.); (L.N.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (S.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Mihir Dass
- Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; (K.M.); (L.K.); (T.F.); (L.N.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (S.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Susanne Kempter
- Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; (K.M.); (L.K.); (T.F.); (L.N.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (S.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Jürgen Schmidtke
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Paderborn, Warburger Straße 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (B.Z.); (J.S.)
| | - Tim Liedl
- Faculty of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 Munich, Germany; (K.M.); (L.K.); (T.F.); (L.N.); (R.B.); (M.D.); (S.K.); (T.L.)
| | - Heinz-S. Kitzerow
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Paderborn, Warburger Straße 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany; (B.Z.); (J.S.)
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Dhakal NP, Jiang J, Guo Y, Peng C. Self-Assembly of Aqueous Soft Matter Patterned by Liquid-Crystal Polymer Networks for Controlling the Dynamics of Bacteria. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:13680-13685. [PMID: 32118403 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c00746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The study of controlling the molecular self-assembly of aqueous soft matter is a fundamental scheme across multiple disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science. In this work, we use liquid-crystal polymer networks (LCNs) to control the superstructures of one aqueous soft material called lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs), which shows spontaneous orientational order by stacking the plank-like molecules into elongated aggregates. We synthesize a layer of patterned LCN films by a nematic liquid-crystal host in which the spatially varying molecular orientations are predesigned by plasmonic photopatterning. We demonstrate that the LCLC aggregates are oriented parallel to the polymer filaments of the LCN film. This patterned aqueous soft material shows immediate application for controlling the dynamics of swimming bacteria. The demonstrated control of the supramolecular assembly of aqueous soft matter by using a stimuli-responsive LCN film will find applications in designing dynamic advanced materials for bioengineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Netra Prasad Dhakal
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Yubing Guo
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
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Guo Y, Shahsavan H, Davidson ZS, Sitti M. Precise Control of Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystal Alignment through Surface Topography. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:36110-36117. [PMID: 31532609 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b12943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Many emerging applications, such as water-based electronic devices and biological sensors, require local control of anisotropic properties. Lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) are an exciting class of materials, which are usually biocompatible and provide uniaxial anisotropy through a director field but, to date, remain difficult to control. In this work, we introduce a simple strategy to realize an arbitrary orientation of LCLCs director field in two dimensions (2D). Our alignment strategy relies on surface topographical micro/nanostructures fabricated by two-photon laser writing. We show that the alignment of LCLCs can be: (a) precisely controlled with a remarkable pixel resolution of 2.5 μm and (b) patterned into an arbitrary 2D alignment (e.g., +2 topological defect) by a pixelated design and arrangement of micro/nanostructures. Using a similar strategy, we achieve a patternable homeotropic alignment of LCLCs with nanopillars. Finally, we demonstrate that a self-assembled three-dimensional alignment of LCLCs can be obtained due to the versatility of our alignment strategy. Our demonstration of LCLC director field control, which is not only straightforward to achieve but also compatible with other conventional micro/nanofabrication techniques, will provide new opportunities for the manufacturing of LC-based electronic and biological devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubing Guo
- Physical Intelligence Department , Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems , 70569 Stuttgart , Germany
| | - Hamed Shahsavan
- Physical Intelligence Department , Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems , 70569 Stuttgart , Germany
| | - Zoey S Davidson
- Physical Intelligence Department , Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems , 70569 Stuttgart , Germany
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department , Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems , 70569 Stuttgart , Germany
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Krishnamurthy KS, Kanakala MB, Yelamaggad CV, Madhusudana NV. Microscale Structures Arising from Nanoscale Inhomogeneities in Nematics Made of Bent-Shaped Molecules. J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:1423-1431. [PMID: 30668915 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b11481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nanoscale structures in fluid media normally require techniques such as freeze fracture electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy for their visualization. As demonstrated in the present study, the surface modification due to nanoscale clusters occurring intrinsically in nematics made of bent-shaped molecules with either rigid or flexible cores leads to microscale structures, which are visible in an optical microscope. The underlying physical mechanism proposed here involves a quasiperiodic change in anchoring conditions on untreated glass plates for the medium made of islands of clusters surrounded by unclustered molecules. The resulting pattern of stripes outlines the director-normal field around line defects in the well-known schlieren texture. The instability, which is seen over most of the nematic range, with increasing visibility under continued cooling of the sample, sets the nematics made of bent-shaped molecules apart from the classical nematics of rod-shaped molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madhu B Kanakala
- Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences , P.O. Box 1329, Jalahalli, Bangalore 560013 , India
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Peng C, Guo Y, Turiv T, Jiang M, Wei QH, Lavrentovich OD. Patterning of Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystals by Photoalignment with Photonic Metamasks. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1606112. [PMID: 28295687 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201606112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Controlling supramolecular self-assembly in water-based solutions is an important problem of interdisciplinary character that impacts the development of many functional materials and systems. Significant progress in aqueous self-assembly and templating has been demonstrated by using lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) as these materials show spontaneous orientational order caused by unidirectional stacking of plank-like molecules into elongated aggregates. In this work, it is demonstrated that the alignment direction of chromonic assemblies can be patterned into complex spatially-varying structures with very high micrometer-scale precision. The approach uses photoalignment with light beams that exhibit a spatially-varying direction of light polarization. The state of polarization is imprinted into a layer of photosensitive dye that is protected against dissolution into the LCLC by a liquid crystalline polymer layer. The demonstrated level of control over the spatial orientation of LCLC opens opportunities for engineering materials and devices for optical and biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhui Peng
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Yubing Guo
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Taras Turiv
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Miao Jiang
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Qi-Huo Wei
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Oleg D Lavrentovich
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
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Zhang B, Kitzerow HS. Influence of Proton and Salt Concentration on the Chromonic Liquid Crystal Phase Diagram of Disodium Cromoglycate Solutions: Prospects and Limitations of a Host for DNA Nanostructures. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:3250-6. [PMID: 26964003 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b01644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals have recently been suggested for use as a self-organized host for dispersing and aligning self-organized DNA origami nanostructures. However, an appropriate pH value and a suitable cation concentration are necessary to stabilize such nanostructures and to avoid unfolding of the DNA. The present study shows that the nematic and columnar liquid crystal phases appearing in aqueous solutions of disodium cromoglycate are robust against the replacement of deionized water by a neutral or alkaline buffer solution. However, disodium cromoglycate precipitates when an acidic buffer is used or when the concentration of magnesium cations exceeds a critical concentration of about 0.6-0.7 mmol/L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingru Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Paderborn , Warburger Strasse 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Heinz-S Kitzerow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Paderborn , Warburger Strasse 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
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