Zwitterionic dendrimer – Polymer hybrid copolymers for self-assembling antifouling coatings

Compositionally Controlled Electron Transfer in Metallo-Organics

We demonstrate here the assembly of a nanolayer of electrochromic iron complexes on the top of composite layers of cobalt and ruthenium complexes. Depending on the ratio of the latter two complexes, we can tailor materials that show different electron transport pathways, redox activities, and color transitions. No redox activity of the top layer, consisting of iron complexes, is observable when the relative amount of the ruthenium complexes is low in the underlying composite layer because of the insulating properties of the isostructural cobalt complexes. Increasing the amount of ruthenium complexes opens an electron transport channel, resulting in charge storage in both the cobalt and iron complexes. The trapped charges can be chemically released by redox-active ferrocyanide complexes at the film-water interface.

Properties and Bioapplications of Amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers: A Review

Amphiphilic Janus dendrimers are arrangements containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic units, capable of forming ordered aggregates by intermolecular noncovalent interactions between the dendrimer units. Compared to conventional dendrimers, these molecular self-assemblies possess particular and effective attributes i.e., the presence of different terminal groups, essential to design new elaborated materials. The present review will focus on the pharmaceutical and biomedical application of amphiphilic Janus dendrimers. Important information for the development of novel optimized pharmaceutical formulations, such as structural classification, synthetic pathways, properties and applications, will offer the complete characterization of this type of Janus dendrimers. This work will constitute an up-to-date background for dendrimer specialists involved in designing amphiphilic Janus dendrimer-based nanomaterials for future innovations in this promising field.

Development of Universal and Clickable Film by Mimicking Melanogenesis: On-Demand Oxidation of Tyrosine-Based Azido Derivative by Tyrosinase

In this study, we synthesized a tyrosine-based azido derivative (TBAD) that permits both substrate-independent surface coating and clickable film functionalization by mimicking natural melanogenesis. In contrast to catechol derivatives, which are generally susceptible to oxidation by air under ambient conditions, the monophenol-based TBAD remains stable under alkaline and neutral conditions, and is activated to oxidized quinone in situ by tyrosinase to initiate melanin-like polymerization. The resulting poly(TBAD) film can be formed on various substrates including noble metals, metal oxides, and synthetic polymers, which can undergo click reaction with terminal alkyne moieties on the entire surface or a specific region through Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The enzyme-mediated coating can rapidly form thin films (∼10 nm) and produce a uniform film morphology, which are important aspects in surface chemistry. This on-demand, clickable coating may become a significant tool for bioconjugation, soft lithography, and labeling techniques. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.