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Sun M, Bai S, Wang H, Li Z, Wang Y, Guo X. Localized self-assembly of macroscopically structured supramolecular hydrogels through reaction-diffusion. SOFT MATTER 2024. [PMID: 38842423 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00467a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Localized molecular self-assembly has been developed as an effective approach for the fabrication of spatially resolved supramolecular hydrogels, showing great potential for many high-tech applications. However, the fabrication of macroscopically structured supramolecular hydrogels through molecular self-assembly remains a challenge. Herein, we report on localized self-assembly of low molecular weight hydrogelators through a simple reaction-diffusion approach, giving rise to various macroscopically patterned supramolecular hydrogels. This is achieved on the basis of an acid-catalyzed hydrazone supramolecular hydrogelator system. The acid was pre-loaded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate, generating a proton gradient in the vicinity of the PDMS surface after immersing the PDMS in the aqueous solution of the hydrogelator precursors. The acid dramatically accelerates the in situ formation and self-assembly of the hydrazone hydrogelators, leading to localized formation of supramolecular hydrogels. The growth rate of the supramolecular hydrogels can be easily tuned through controlling the concentrations of the hydrogelator precursors and HCl. Importantly, differently shaped supramolecular hydrogel objects can be obtained by simply changing the shapes of PDMS. This work suggests that reaction-diffusion-mediated localized hydrogelation can serve as an approach towards macroscopically structuralized supramolecular hydrogels, which may find potential applications ranging from tissue engineering to biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengran Sun
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Shengyu Bai
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Hucheng Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Zhongqi Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Yiming Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Xuhong Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
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2
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Duraisamy DK, Reddy SMM, Saveri P, Deshpande AP, Shanmugam G. A Unique Temperature-Induced Reverse Supramolecular Chirality-Assisted Gel-to-Gel Transition. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2400018. [PMID: 38437791 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Supramolecular hydrogels typically undergo a gel-to-sol transition with heat, as intermolecular interactions within the gel weaken. Although gel-to-gel transitions during heating are rare, they may occur due to minor rearrangements caused by thermal forces in the supramolecular self-assembled structure. Here, an unprecedented temperature-induced gel-to-gel transition assisted by supramolecular chiral inversion in a hydrogel system is presented. The transition results from a left-handed M-type helix to a right-handed P-type helix, attributed to the π-system-conjugated amino acid, l-Tyrosine (Fm- l-Tyr). Upon solvent dilution, Fm-l-Tyr induces translucent hydrogel formed by entangled fibers with a kinetically stable left-handed M-type supramolecular helix. At 70 °C, hydrogel transforms into an opaque gel with a reverse supramolecular chirality yielding a thermodynamically stable right-handed P-type helix. Supramolecular chiral inversion is substantiated by two chiroptical methods. This unique gel-to-gel transition, accompanied by chiral inversion, is anticipated to attract attention, especially for applications sensitive to chirality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Kumar Duraisamy
- Organic & Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Adyar, Chennai, 600020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Samala Murali Mohan Reddy
- Organic & Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Adyar, Chennai, 600020, India
| | - Puchalapalli Saveri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Abhijit P Deshpande
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Ganesh Shanmugam
- Organic & Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Adyar, Chennai, 600020, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
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3
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Chen J, Wang H, Long F, Bai S, Wang Y. Dynamic supramolecular hydrogels mediated by chemical reactions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:14236-14248. [PMID: 37964743 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04353c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Supramolecular self-assembly in a biological system is usually dominated by sophisticated metabolic processes (chemical reactions) such as catalysis of enzymes and consumption of high energy chemicals, leading to groups of biomolecules with unique dynamics and functions in an aqueous environment. In recent years, increasing efforts have been made to couple chemical reactions to molecular self-assembly, with the aim of creating supramolecular materials with lifelike properties and functions. In this feature article, after summarising the work of chemical reaction mediated supramolecular hydrogels, we first focus on a typical example where dynamic self-assembly of molecular hydrogels is activated by in situ formation of a hydrazone bond in water. We discuss how the formation of the hydrazone-based supramolecular hydrogels can be controlled in time and space. After that, we describe transient assembly of supramolecular hydrogels powered by out-of-equilibrium chemical reaction networks regulated by chemical fuels, which show unique properties such as finite lifetime, dynamic structures, and regenerative capabilities. Finally, we provide a perspective on the future investigations that need to be done urgently, which range from fundamental research to real-life applications of dynamic supramolecular hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Hucheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Feng Long
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Shengyu Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Yiming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
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Tangsombun C, Smith DK. Fabricating Shaped and Patterned Supramolecular Multigelator Objects via Diffusion-Adhesion Gel Assembly. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:24061-24070. [PMID: 37885219 PMCID: PMC10636748 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
We report the use of acid-diffusion to assemble core-shell supramolecular gel beads with different low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) in the core and shell. These gel beads grow a shell of dibenzylidenesorbitol-based DBS-COOH onto a core comprising DBS-CONHNH2 and agarose that has been loaded with acetic acid. Diffusion of the acid from the core triggers shell assembly. The presence of DBS-CONHNH2 enables the gel core to be loaded with metal nanoparticles (NPs) as acyl hydrazide reduces metal salts in situ. The pH-responsiveness of DBS-COOH allows responsive assembly of the shell with both temporal and spatial control. By fixing multiple gel beads in a Petri dish, the cores become linked to one another by the assembled DBS-COOH gel shell─a process we describe as diffusion-adhesion assembly. By controlling the geometry of the beads with respect to one another, it is possible to pattern the structures, and using a layer-by-layer approach, 3D objects can be fabricated. If some of the beads are loaded with basic DBS-carboxylate instead of CH3COOH, they act as a "sink" for diffusing protons, preventing DBS-COOH shell assembly in the close proximity. Those beads do not adhere to the remainder of the growing gel object and can be simply removed once diffusion-assembly is complete, acting as templates, and enabling the fabrication of 3D "imprinted" multigel architectures. Preloading the gel beads with AuNPs or AgNPs suspends these functional units within the cores at precisely defined locations within a wider gel object. In summary, this approach enables the dynamic fabrication of shaped and patterned gels with embedded metal NPs─such objects have potential next-generation applications in areas including soft nanoelectronics and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayanan Tangsombun
- Department of Chemistry, University
of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, U.K.
| | - David K. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University
of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, U.K.
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Bordignon D, Lonetti B, Coudret C, Roblin P, Joseph P, Malaquin L, Chalard A, Fitremann J. Wet spinning of a library of carbohydrate low molecular weight gels. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 603:333-343. [PMID: 34197983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.06.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Recently, a low molecular weight hydrogel based on a carbohydrate alkyl amide has been successfully used as biomaterial for neuron cell culture and for 3D printing. Varying the molecular structure should make it possible to extend the library of carbohydrate low molecular weight hydrogels available for these applications and to improve their performances. EXPERIMENTS Thirteen molecules easy to synthetize and designed to be potentially biocompatible were prepared. They are based on gluconamide, glucoheptonamide, galactonamide, glucamide, aliphatic chains and glycine. Their gelation in water was investigated in thermal conditions and wet spinning conditions, namely by dimethylsulfoxide-water exchange under injection. FINDINGS Nine molecules give hydrogels in thermal conditions. By wet spinning, six molecules self-assemble fast enough, within few seconds, to form continous hydrogel filaments. Therefore, the method enables to shape by injection these mechanically fragile hydrogels, notably in the perspective of 3D printing. Depending on the molecular structure, persistent or soluble gel filaments are obtained. The microstructures are varied, featuring entangled ribbons, platelets or particles. In thermal gelation, molecules with a symmetrical polar head (galacto, glucoheptono) give flat ribbons and molecules with an asymmetrical polar head (gluco) give helical ribbons. The introduction of an extra glycine linker disturbs this trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Bordignon
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
| | - Barbara Lonetti
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Christophe Coudret
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
| | - Pierre Roblin
- Laboratoire de Génie Chimique (LGC), Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5503, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
| | - Pierre Joseph
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.
| | | | - Anaïs Chalard
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
| | - Juliette Fitremann
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
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6
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Kubota R, Tanaka W, Hamachi I. Microscopic Imaging Techniques for Molecular Assemblies: Electron, Atomic Force, and Confocal Microscopies. Chem Rev 2021; 121:14281-14347. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryou Kubota
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Wataru Tanaka
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Itaru Hamachi
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
- JST-ERATO, Hamachi Innovative Molecular Technology for Neuroscience, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8530, Japan
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Eelkema R, Pich A. Pros and Cons: Supramolecular or Macromolecular: What Is Best for Functional Hydrogels with Advanced Properties? ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1906012. [PMID: 31919957 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201906012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are fascinating soft materials with unique properties. Many biological systems are based on hydrogel-like structures, underlining their versatility and relevance. The properties of hydrogels strongly depend on the structure of the building blocks they are composed of, as well as the nature of interactions between them in the network structure. Herein, gel networks made by supramolecular interactions are compared to covalent macromolecular networks, drawing conclusions about their performance and application as responsive materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rienk Eelkema
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Andrij Pich
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52056, Aachen, Germany
- Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD, Geleen, The Netherlands
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8
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Wang Y, Piskorz TK, Lovrak M, Mendes E, Guo X, Eelkema R, van Esch JH. Transient Supramolecular Hydrogels Formed by Aging-Induced Seeded Self-Assembly of Molecular Hydrogelators. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1902487. [PMID: 32274297 PMCID: PMC7140988 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201902487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Here, transient supramolecular hydrogels that are formed through simple aging-induced seeded self-assembly of molecular gelators are reported. In the involved molecular self-assembly system, multicomponent gelators are formed from a mixture of precursor molecules and, typically, can spontaneously self-assemble into thermodynamically more stable hydrogels through a multilevel self-sorting process. In the present work, it is surprisingly found that one of the precursor molecules is capable of self-assembling into nano-sized aggregates upon a gentle aging treatment. Importantly, these tiny aggregates can serve as seeds to force the self-assembly of gelators along a kinetically controlled pathway, leading to transient hydrogels that eventually spontaneously convert into thermodynamically more stable hydrogels over time. Such an aging-induced seeded self-assembly process is not only a new route toward synthetic out-of-equilibrium supramolecular systems, but also suggests the necessity of reporting the age of self-assembling building block solutions in other self-assembly systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical EngineeringSchool of Chemical EngineeringEast China University of Science and TechnologyMeilong Road 130200237ShanghaiChina
| | - Tomasz K. Piskorz
- Department of Chemical EngineeringDelft University of Technologyvan der Maasweg 92629 HZDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Matija Lovrak
- Department of Chemical EngineeringDelft University of Technologyvan der Maasweg 92629 HZDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Mendes
- Department of Chemical EngineeringDelft University of Technologyvan der Maasweg 92629 HZDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Xuhong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical EngineeringSchool of Chemical EngineeringEast China University of Science and TechnologyMeilong Road 130200237ShanghaiChina
| | - Rienk Eelkema
- Department of Chemical EngineeringDelft University of Technologyvan der Maasweg 92629 HZDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Jan H. van Esch
- Department of Chemical EngineeringDelft University of Technologyvan der Maasweg 92629 HZDelftThe Netherlands
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9
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Yang G, Lin C, Feng X, Wang T, Jiang J. Multi-component supramolecular gels induce protonation of a porphyrin exciplex to achieve improved collective optical properties for effective photocatalytic hydrogen generation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:527-530. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc08060k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Two-porphyrin supramolecular gels induce exciplex formation, protonation and J-aggregation of porphyrins, which render a smaller bandgap, charge separation and good photocatalytic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengxiang Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Science and Application of Functional Molecular and Crystalline Materials
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Science and Technology Beijing
- Beijing 100083
- China
| | - Chenxiang Lin
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Science and Application of Functional Molecular and Crystalline Materials
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Science and Technology Beijing
- Beijing 100083
- China
| | - Xuenan Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Science and Application of Functional Molecular and Crystalline Materials
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Science and Technology Beijing
- Beijing 100083
- China
| | - Tianyu Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Science and Application of Functional Molecular and Crystalline Materials
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Science and Technology Beijing
- Beijing 100083
- China
| | - Jianzhuang Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Science and Application of Functional Molecular and Crystalline Materials
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Science and Technology Beijing
- Beijing 100083
- China
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10
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Xiao S, Paukstelis PJ, Ash RD, Zavalij PY, Davis JT. Drawing with Iron on a Gel Containing a Supramolecular Siderophore. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201910872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Songjun Xiao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Paul J. Paukstelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Richard D. Ash
- Department of Geology University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Peter Y. Zavalij
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Jeffery T. Davis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
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11
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Xiao S, Paukstelis PJ, Ash RD, Zavalij PY, Davis JT. Drawing with Iron on a Gel Containing a Supramolecular Siderophore. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:18434-18437. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201910872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Songjun Xiao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Paul J. Paukstelis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Richard D. Ash
- Department of Geology University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Peter Y. Zavalij
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Jeffery T. Davis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
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12
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Lakshminarayanan V, Poltorak L, Bosma D, Sudhölter EJR, van Esch JH, Mendes E. Locally pH controlled and directed growth of supramolecular gel microshapes using electrocatalytic nanoparticles. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:9092-9095. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc04238e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Micro-shapes of supramolecular hydrogels composed of oriented fibres were grown from locally deposited electrocatalytic Pt NPs after electrochemical pH modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lukasz Poltorak
- Delft University of Technology
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- 2629 HZ Delft
- The Netherlands
- University of Lodz
| | - Duco Bosma
- Delft University of Technology
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- 2629 HZ Delft
- The Netherlands
| | - Ernst J. R. Sudhölter
- Delft University of Technology
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- 2629 HZ Delft
- The Netherlands
| | - Jan H. van Esch
- Delft University of Technology
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- 2629 HZ Delft
- The Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Mendes
- Delft University of Technology
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- 2629 HZ Delft
- The Netherlands
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