1
|
Nesterkina M, Kravchenko I, Hirsch AKH, Lehr CM. Thermotropic liquid crystals in drug delivery: A versatile carrier for controlled release. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 200:114343. [PMID: 38801980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Responsive and adaptive soft-matter systems represent an advanced category of materials with potential applications in drug delivery. Among these, liquid crystals (LCs) emerge as multifunctional anisotropic scaffolds capable of reacting to temperature, light, electric or magnetic fields. Specifically, the ordering and physical characteristics of thermotropic LCs are primarily contingent on temperature as an external stimulus. This comprehensive review aims to bridge a notable gap in the biomedical application of thermotropic mesogens by exclusively focusing on drug delivery. Anticipated to inspire diverse ideas, the review intends to facilitate the elegant exploitation of controllable and temperature-induced characteristics of LCs to enhance drug permeation. Here, we delineate recent advancements in thermally-driven LCs with a substantial emphasis on LC monomer mixtures, elastomers, polymers, microcapsules and membranes. Moreover, special emphasis is placed on the biocompatibility and toxicity of LCs as the foremost prerequisite for their application in healthcare. Given the promising prospect of thermotropic LC formulations in a clinical context, a special section is devoted to skin drug delivery. The review covers content from multiple disciplines, primarily targeting researchers interested in innovative strategies in drug delivery. It also appeals to those enthusiastic about firsthand exploration of the feasible biomedical applications of thermotropic LCs. To the best of our knowledge, this marks the first review addressing thermotropic LCs as tunable soft-matter systems for drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Nesterkina
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus Building E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
| | - Iryna Kravchenko
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus Building E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Anna K H Hirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus Building E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus Building E8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Campus Building E 8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, Campus Building E8.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang CI, Maier JC, Jackson NE. Accessing the electronic structure of liquid crystalline semiconductors with bottom-up electronic coarse-graining. Chem Sci 2024; 15:8390-8403. [PMID: 38846409 PMCID: PMC11151863 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc06749a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between multiscale morphology and electronic structure is a grand challenge for semiconducting soft materials. Computational studies aimed at characterizing these relationships require the complex integration of quantum-chemical (QC) calculations, all-atom and coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics simulations, and back-mapping approaches. However, these methods pose substantial computational challenges that limit their application to the requisite length scales of soft material morphologies. Here, we demonstrate the bottom-up electronic coarse-graining (ECG) of morphology-dependent electronic structure in the liquid-crystal-forming semiconductor, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-octyl-benzothienobenzothiophene (BTBT). ECG is applied to construct density functional theory (DFT)-accurate valence band Hamiltonians of the isotropic and smectic liquid crystal (LC) phases using only the CG representation of BTBT. By bypassing the atomistic resolution and its prohibitive computational costs, ECG enables the first calculations of the morphology dependence of the electronic structure of charge carriers across LC phases at the ∼20 nm length scale, with robust statistical sampling. Kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations reveal a strong morphology dependence on zero-field charge mobility among different LC phases as well as the presence of two-molecule charge carriers that act as traps and hinder charge transport. We leverage these results to further evaluate the feasibility of developing mesoscopic, field-based ECG models in future works. The fully CG approach to electronic property predictions in LC semiconductors opens a new computational direction for designing electronic processes in soft materials at their characteristic length scales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chun-I Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 505 S Mathews Avenue Urbana Illinois 61801 USA
| | - J Charlie Maier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 505 S Mathews Avenue Urbana Illinois 61801 USA
| | - Nicholas E Jackson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 505 S Mathews Avenue Urbana Illinois 61801 USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li C, Nijjer J, Feng L, Zhang Q, Yan J, Zhang S. Agent-based modeling of stress anisotropy driven nematic ordering in growing biofilms. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:3401-3410. [PMID: 38563244 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01535a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Living active collectives have evolved with remarkable self-patterning capabilities to adapt to the physical and biological constraints crucial for their growth and survival. However, the intricate process by which complex multicellular patterns emerge from a single founder cell remains elusive. In this study, we utilize an agent-based model, validated through single-cell microscopy imaging, to track the three-dimensional (3D) morphodynamics of cells within growing bacterial biofilms encased by agarose gels. The confined growth conditions give rise to a spatiotemporally heterogeneous stress landscape within the biofilm. In the core of the biofilm, where high hydrostatic and low shear stresses prevail, cell packing appears disordered. In contrast, near the gel-cell interface, a state of high shear stress and low hydrostatic stress emerges, driving nematic ordering, albeit with a time delay inherent to shear stress relaxation. Strikingly, we observe a robust spatiotemporal correlation between stress anisotropy and nematic ordering within these confined biofilms. This correlation suggests a mechanism whereby stress anisotropy plays a pivotal role in governing the spatial organization of cells. The reciprocity between stress anisotropy and cell ordering in confined biofilms opens new avenues for innovative 3D mechanically guided patterning techniques for living active collectives, which hold significant promise for a wide array of environmental and biomedical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changhao Li
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Japinder Nijjer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Luyi Feng
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Qiuting Zhang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Jing Yan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Quantitative Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sulin Zhang
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ghorapade V, Wang WC. Electro-hydrodynamic programming reshapes liquid crystal dynamics in free-form director fields. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4226. [PMID: 38379092 PMCID: PMC10879181 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54873-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
This study unveils a groundbreaking technique leveraging the superposition of electric field vectors to manipulate liquid crystals (LCs). Demonstrated through a simple configuration of four independent electrodes at the corners of a rectangular enclosure, notably, this configuration can be further simplified or modified as needed, showcasing the versatility of the approach. Significantly, the design showcased in the paper eliminates the need for an alignment layer, highlighting the versatility of the method. Through nuanced adjustments in waveforms, amplitudes, frequencies, and phases in AC or DC from these electrodes, precise control over LC shape deformation and dynamic phase transformation is achieved in both temporal and spatial dimensions. In contrast to traditional methods, the approach presented here abolishes alignment layers and intricate electrode-array systems, opting for a streamlined configuration with varying AC frequencies and DC electric signals. This innovative methodology, founded on simplified governing equations from Q-tensor hydrodynamics theory, demonstrates true 3D control over LCs, displaying efficiency in electrode usage beyond current arrays. The study's contributions extend to temporal control emphasis, superposition techniques, and the elimination of fixed electrodes, promising unprecedented possibilities for programming LC materials and advancing the field of programmable LC devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vinayak Ghorapade
- Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wei-Chih Wang
- Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle Washington, 98195, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle Washington, 98195, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
张 德, 张 豪, 李 博. [The Dynamic Model of the Active-Inactive Cell Interface]. SICHUAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF SICHUAN UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDITION 2024; 55:39-46. [PMID: 38322532 PMCID: PMC10839493 DOI: 10.12182/20240160508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Objective To explore the morphodynamics of the active-inactive cell monolayer interfaces by using the active liquid crystal model. Methods A continuum mechanical model was established based on the active liquid crystal theory and the active-inactive cell monolayer interfaces were established by setting the activity difference of cell monolayers. The theoretical equations were solved numerically by the finite difference and the lattice Boltzmann method. Results The active-inactive cell interfaces displayed three typical morphologies, namely, flat interface, wavy interface, and finger-like interface. On the flat interfaces, the cells were oriented perpendicular to the interface, the -1/2 topological defects were clustered in the interfaces, and the interfaces were negatively charged. On the wavy interfaces, cells showed no obvious preference for orientation at the interfaces and the interfaces were neutrally charged. On the finger-like interfaces, cells were tangentially oriented at the interfaces, the +1/2 topological defects were collected at the interfaces, driving the growth of the finger-like structures, and the interfaces were positively charged. Conclusion The orientation of the cell alignment at the interface can significantly affect the morphologies of the active-inactive cell monolayer interfaces, which is closely associated with the dynamics of topological defects at the interfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- 德清 张
- 清华大学工程力学系 生物力学与医学工程研究所 (北京 100084)Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - 豪舜 张
- 清华大学工程力学系 生物力学与医学工程研究所 (北京 100084)Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - 博 李
- 清华大学工程力学系 生物力学与医学工程研究所 (北京 100084)Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Maity M, Bala I, Kanakala MB, Gupta SP, Yelamaggad CV, Pal SK. Tailoring Chiral Discotic Liquid Crystals: Mesophase Engineering through Alternative Approaches and Chain Lengths. Chem Asian J 2024; 19:e202300936. [PMID: 37988364 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202300936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen (H)-bonding is crucial in constructing superstructures in chemical (such as chiral discotic liquid crystals (DLCs)) as well as in biological systems due to its specific and directional nature. In this context, we achieved the successful synthesis of two branches of heptazine-based H-bonded complexes using distinct strategies. Hpz*-Es-Cn , we incorporated chiral alkyl tails (Hpz-chiral) onto the central C3 symmetric heptazine core, connected to achiral benzoic acid derivatives (Es-Cn acid) through H-bonding. In Hpz-Es-Cn -acid*, we used an achiral heptazine derivative (Hpz-Es-Cn ) linked to a chiral acid via H-bonding. On the other hand, based on the DSC results, we observed that Hpz*-Es-Cn complexes exhibited three distinct phases, whereas Hpz-Es-Cn -acid* complexes displayed only a single mesophase. In polarized optical microscopy (POM) observations, all the complexes displayed birefringence at room temperature, with the color of the POM images changing as the temperature varied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies at lower temperatures confirmed that Hpz*-Es-C8 exhibited the columnar rectangular (Colr ) phase, while Hpz*-Es-C10/12 exhibited the columnar oblique (Colob ) phase. However, all the H-bonded complexes exhibited the columnar hexagonal (Colh ) phase at higher temperatures. The chiroptical spectra recorded by Circular dichroism (CD) highlight the specific observations in the columnar phase of two complexes, Hpz*-Es-C10 and Hpz*-Es-C12 . This behavior has potential applications in various fields, including sensors, displays, and responsive materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhusudan Maity
- Department of Chemical Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, PO 140306, India
| | - Indu Bala
- Department of Chemical Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, PO 140306, India
| | | | | | - C V Yelamaggad
- Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bengaluru, 560013, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Science, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
- Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, PO 140306, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Becerra D, Xu Y, Wang X, Hall LM. Impact of Molecular-level Structural Disruption on Relaxation Dynamics of Polymers with End-on and Side-on Liquid Crystal Moieties. ACS NANO 2023; 17:24790-24801. [PMID: 38047918 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
In side-chain liquid crystal polymers (SCLCPs), short side chains are attached on a flexible polymer backbone, and each side chain can have a liquid crystal (LC) group attached at the final bead in either an end-on or a side-on configuration. SCLCPs with random sequences of end-on and side-on LC moieties exhibit nonmonotonic thermal behavior as a function of composition, with some mixed sequences having a lower isotropic to LC phase transition than either purely end-on or side-on configurations. The origin of this nonmonotonic thermal trend lies in the disruption of molecular-level positional ordering and alignment due to the different preferred types of ordering of the different LC attachment types. We compare coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments on SCLCP systems with only one type of LC moiety and demonstrate qualitative agreement in the observed mesophases of end-on and side-on SCLCP systems. Specifically, end-on SCLCPs display a smectic B-like mesophase, with layers of polymer between LC layers, while side-on SCLCPs exhibit a quasi-hexagonal columnar structure of polymer and a nematic surrounding the LC mesophase. Detailed analysis of SCLCP systems with various compositions of these types of LC attachments via MD reveals structural disruption in systems with intermediate compositions. Simulation snapshots and anisotropy ratio measurements show how random SCLCP systems deviate from the expected behavior of prolate or oblate systems in terms of their conformation. This molecular disruption in random SCLCP systems, particularly with a high composition of side-on LC moieties, also significantly impacts the relaxation dynamics. Modifying the composition of the LC type of attachment (molecular structure) is a possible route to tuning both the phase behavior and mechanical response of these systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Becerra
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Yang Xu
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Xiaoguang Wang
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Sustainability Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Lisa M Hall
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Frka-Petesic B, Parton TG, Honorato-Rios C, Narkevicius A, Ballu K, Shen Q, Lu Z, Ogawa Y, Haataja JS, Droguet BE, Parker RM, Vignolini S. Structural Color from Cellulose Nanocrystals or Chitin Nanocrystals: Self-Assembly, Optics, and Applications. Chem Rev 2023; 123:12595-12756. [PMID: 38011110 PMCID: PMC10729353 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Widespread concerns over the impact of human activity on the environment have resulted in a desire to replace artificial functional materials with naturally derived alternatives. As such, polysaccharides are drawing increasing attention due to offering a renewable, biodegradable, and biocompatible feedstock for functional nanomaterials. In particular, nanocrystals of cellulose and chitin have emerged as versatile and sustainable building blocks for diverse applications, ranging from mechanical reinforcement to structural coloration. Much of this interest arises from the tendency of these colloidally stable nanoparticles to self-organize in water into a lyotropic cholesteric liquid crystal, which can be readily manipulated in terms of its periodicity, structure, and geometry. Importantly, this helicoidal ordering can be retained into the solid-state, offering an accessible route to complex nanostructured films, coatings, and particles. In this review, the process of forming iridescent, structurally colored films from suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is summarized and the mechanisms underlying the chemical and physical phenomena at each stage in the process explored. Analogy is then drawn with chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs), allowing for key differences to be critically assessed and strategies toward structural coloration to be presented. Importantly, the progress toward translating this technology from academia to industry is summarized, with unresolved scientific and technical questions put forward as challenges to the community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Frka-Petesic
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
- International
Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM), Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Thomas G. Parton
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Camila Honorato-Rios
- Department
of Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Aurimas Narkevicius
- B
CUBE − Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Kevin Ballu
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Qingchen Shen
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Zihao Lu
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Ogawa
- CERMAV-CNRS,
CS40700, 38041 Grenoble cedex 9, France
| | - Johannes S. Haataja
- Department
of Applied Physics, Aalto University School
of Science, P.O. Box
15100, Aalto, Espoo FI-00076, Finland
| | - Benjamin E. Droguet
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M. Parker
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Vignolini
- Yusuf
Hamied Department of Chemistry, University
of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gibson C, Jönsson H, Spelman TA. Mean-field theory approach to three-dimensional nematic phase transitions in microtubules. Phys Rev E 2023; 108:064414. [PMID: 38243538 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.108.064414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Microtubules are dynamic intracellular fibers that have been observed experimentally to undergo spontaneous self-alignment. We formulate a three-dimensional (3D) mean-field theory model to analyze the nematic phase transition of microtubules growing and interacting within a 3D space, then make a comparison with computational simulations. We identify a control parameter G_{eff} and predict a unique critical value G_{eff}=1.56 for which a phase transition can occur. Furthermore, we show both analytically and using simulations that this predicted critical value does not depend on the presence of zippering. The mean-field theory developed here provides an analytical estimate of microtubule patterning characteristics without running time-consuming simulations and is a step towards bridging scales from microtubule behavior to multicellular simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Gibson
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1LR, United Kingdom
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Henrik Jönsson
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1LR, United Kingdom
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0WA, United Kingdom
- Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Tamsin A Spelman
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1LR, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hanif W, Yadav I, Hasan E, Alsulaiman D. Programmable all-DNA hydrogels based on rolling circle and multiprimed chain amplification products. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:046106. [PMID: 37901137 PMCID: PMC10613091 DOI: 10.1063/5.0169063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft, biocompatible, and tunable materials offer biomedical engineers and material scientists programmable matrices for a variety of biomedical applications. In this regard, DNA hydrogels have emerged as highly promising biomaterials that offer programmable self-assembly, superior biocompatibility, and the presence of specific molecular identifiable structures. Many types of DNA hydrogels have been developed, yet the programmability of the DNA building blocks has not been fully exploited, and further efforts must be directed toward understanding how to finely tune their properties in a predictable manner. Herein, we develop physically crosslinked all-DNA hydrogels with tunable morphology and controllable biodegradation, based on rolling circle amplification and multiprimed chain amplification products. Through molecular engineering of the DNA sequences and their nano-/microscale architectures, the precursors self-assemble in a controlled manner to produce soft hydrogels in an efficient, cost-effective, and highly tunable manner. Notably, we develop a novel DNA microladder architecture that serves as a framework for modulating the hydrogel properties, including over an order of magnitude change in pore size and up to 50% change in biodegradation rate. Overall, we demonstrate how the properties of this DNA-based biomaterial can be tuned by modulating the amounts of rigid double-stranded DNA chains compared to flexible single-stranded DNA chains, as well as through the precursor architecture. Ultimately, this work opens new avenues for the development of programmable and biodegradable soft materials in which DNA functions not only as a store of genetic information but also as a versatile polymeric biomaterial and molecularly engineered macroscale scaffold.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wildan Hanif
- Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Indresh Yadav
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Erol Hasan
- Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dana Alsulaiman
- Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bauman GE, White TJ. Rheology of oligomer melts in the nematic and isotropic states. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:8882-8888. [PMID: 37955179 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01084h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Oligomers prepared by chain extension of liquid crystalline monomers are thermotropic. The alignment of liquid crystalline oligomers to shear flow via direct ink write printing is an increasingly popular approach to prepare aligned and 3-D printed liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs). Here, we are concerned with the contribution of order and thermal history on the rheological properties of liquid crystalline. When the oligomers begin in a polydomain nematic state, the transition to an aligned nematic state occurs gradually over a wide range of shear rates. Conversely, when the oligomers begin in an isotropic state they behave as a Newtonian fluid until a critical shear rate is reached, at which point they align in a critical manner. It is shown that by either decreasing liquid crystalline content or increasing temperature, the viscosity of the oligomer melt decreases while this critical shear rate increases. In addition, the normal stress of oligomers is positive over all shear rates but decreases significantly in magnitude with increasing temperature. By combining the analysis of both temperature and liquid crystalline content, it is demonstrated that the temperature relative to the nematic-isotropic transition temperature is key to the oligomers' unique flow behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grant E Bauman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 596 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 596 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, 027 UCB, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Li Y, Chen Y, Li H, Liu C, Li L, Quan Y, Cheng Y. Achiral Dichroic Dyes-mediated Circularly Polarized Emission Regulated by Orientational Order Parameter through Cholesteric Liquid Crystals. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202312159. [PMID: 37776155 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
It is noteworthy that cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) platforms have been witnessed in high-performance circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) behaviors through the highly organized chiral co-assembled arrangement of achiral dyes. However, most CPL-active design strategies are closely relative to the helix co-assembly structure of CLC rather than achiral dyes. Herein, we developed an intriguing regulation strategy for CPL-active CLC materials. They were regulated using the orientational order parameter (SF ) of achiral dichroic dyes as an incisive probe for the order arrangement degree of achiral dyes in CLC media. The I-shaped phenothiazine derivative PHECN dye (SF =0.30) emitted a strong CPL signal (|glum |=0.47). In contrast, the T-shaped derivative (PHEBen) dye (SF =0.09) showed a weak circular polarization level (|glum |=0.07) at similar CLC textures. Most interestingly, this kind of dichroic PHECN dye with a higher SF could greatly improve the contrast ratio of CPL (Δglum =0.47) and emission intensity (ΔFL=46.0 %) at direct-current electric field compared with the T-shaped PHEBen (Δglum =0.07 and ΔFL=1.0 %) in CLC. This work demonstrates that an induced CPL emission can be mediated using achiral dichroic dye, which will open a new avenue for developing excellent CPL-active display materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yihan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lulu Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212003, China
| | - Yiwu Quan
- Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Material and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yixiang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chen X, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Li B, Li Y, Jiang L. Optical Manipulation of Soft Matter. SMALL METHODS 2023:e2301105. [PMID: 37818749 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Optical manipulation has emerged as a pivotal tool in soft matter research, offering superior applicability, spatiotemporal precision, and manipulation capabilities compared to conventional methods. Here, an overview of the optical mechanisms governing the interaction between light and soft matter materials during manipulation is provided. The distinct characteristics exhibited by various soft matter materials, including liquid crystals, polymers, colloids, amphiphiles, thin liquid films, and biological soft materials are highlighted, and elucidate their fundamental response characteristics to optical manipulation techniques. This knowledge serves as a foundation for designing effective strategies for soft matter manipulation. Moreover, the diverse range of applications and future prospects that arise from the synergistic collaboration between optical manipulation and soft matter materials in emerging fields are explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xixi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Baojun Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yuchao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Lingxiang Jiang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kaiyrbekov K, Endresen K, Sullivan K, Zheng Z, Chen Y, Serra F, Camley BA. Migration and division in cell monolayers on substrates with topological defects. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2301197120. [PMID: 37463218 PMCID: PMC10372565 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2301197120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Collective movement and organization of cell monolayers are important for wound healing and tissue development. Recent experiments highlighted the importance of liquid crystal order within these layers, suggesting that +1 topological defects have a role in organizing tissue morphogenesis. We study fibroblast organization, motion, and proliferation on a substrate with micron-sized ridges that induce +1 and -1 topological defects using simulation and experiment. We model cells as self-propelled deformable ellipses that interact via a Gay-Berne potential. Unlike earlier work on other cell types, we see that density variation near defects is not explained by collective migration. We propose instead that fibroblasts have different division rates depending on their area and aspect ratio. This model captures key features of our previous experiments: the alignment quality worsens at high cell density and, at the center of the +1 defects, cells can adopt either highly anisotropic or primarily isotropic morphologies. Experiments performed with different ridge heights confirm a prediction of this model: Suppressing migration across ridges promotes higher cell density at the +1 defect. Our work enables a mechanism for tissue patterning using topological defects without relying on cell migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kurmanbek Kaiyrbekov
- William H. Miller III Department of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Kirsten Endresen
- William H. Miller III Department of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Kyle Sullivan
- William H. Miller III Department of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Zhaofei Zheng
- William H. Miller III Department of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| | - Francesca Serra
- William H. Miller III Department of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense5230, Denmark
| | - Brian A. Camley
- William H. Miller III Department of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD21218
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Maity S, Verma S, Ramaniah LM, Srinivasan V. Stabilizing Polar Domains in MAPbBr 3 via the Hydrostatic Pressure-Induced Liquid Crystal-like Transition. J Phys Chem Lett 2023:5497-5504. [PMID: 37289825 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pressure-induced phases of MAPbBr3 were investigated at room temperature in the range of 0-2.8 GPa by ab initio molecular dynamics. Two structural transitions at 0.7 GPa (cubic → cubic) and 1.1 GPa (cubic → tetragonal) involved both the inorganic host (lead bromide) and the organic guest (MA). MA dipoles behave like a liquid crystal undergoing isotropic → isotropic and isotropic → oblate nematic transitions as pressure confines their orientational fluctuations to a crystal plane. Beyond 1.1 GPa, the MA ions lie alternately along two orthogonal directions in the plane forming stacks perpendicular to it. However, the molecular dipoles are statically disordered, leading to stable polar and antipolar MA domains in each stack. H-Bond interactions, which primarily mediate host-guest coupling, facilitate the static disordering of MA dipoles. Interestingly, high pressures suppress CH3 torsional motion, emphasizing the role of C-H···Br bonds in the transitions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Maity
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal 462 066, India
| | - Suraj Verma
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal 462 066, India
| | - Lavanya M Ramaniah
- High Pressure and Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Varadharajan Srinivasan
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal 462 066, India
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Janaki VP, Moorthi S, Mohan MLNM. Dynamic memory tuned by frequency in a homologous thermotropic liquid crystal. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2023; 46:38. [PMID: 37249789 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00300-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
With scaling of dynamic RAM and NAND memory technologies reaching a limit, there is a need for dynamic memory with high density. In this work, an investigation on existence of dynamic memory feature in a frequency tuned homologous series of thermotropic liquid crystals has been carried out. A homologues series of five thermotropic liquid crystalline compounds comprising of 4-butyl benzoic acid and various alkyloxy benzoic acids are prepared, and all these mesogens exhibit only nematic phase. Liquid crystal dynamic memory storage setup consists of a conducting transparent glass cell with two indium tin oxide coated transparent glass plates acting as electrical electrodes in which the selected thermotropic liquid crystal is filled by capillary action. The temperature dependent dielectric relaxation studies enable to elucidate the relaxation frequency of each of these mesogens in nematic phase. The liquid crystal at different temperatures is excited with the relaxation frequency at various chosen fields, and the dielectric hysteresis is recorded. The magnitude of the hysteresis loop is directly proportional to the memory storage capacity. The main objective of this work is observation of dynamic memory storage in liquid crystals exhibiting nematic phase, at different frequencies in a thermotropic liquid crystal as the ingredient in a conducting polyamide buffed glass cell excited by an external electrical dc stimulus. The variation of the hysteresis loop with varying field; temperature and frequency are also studied and reported in this work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vidya P Janaki
- VLSI Systems Research Lab, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620015, India
| | - S Moorthi
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620015, India.
| | - M L N Madhu Mohan
- Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Liquid Crystal Research Laboratory, Research Park, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, Erode-District, Tamil Nadu, 638 401, India
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Singh PK, Dhar R, Dabrowski R. Enhancement of dielectric and electro-optical characteristics of liquid crystalline material 4'-octyl-4-cyano-biphenyl with dispersed functionalized and nonfunctionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Phys Rev E 2023; 107:044704. [PMID: 37198864 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.107.044704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
For recent applications, liquid crystal-carbon nanotube based nanocomposite systems have been proven to be highly attractive. In this paper, we give a thorough analysis of a nanocomposite system made of both functionalized and nonfunctionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes that are disseminated in a 4'-octyl-4-cyano-biphenyl liquid crystal medium. Thermodynamic study reveals a decrease in the nanocomposites' transition temperatures. In contrast to nonfunctionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube dispersed systems, the enthalpy of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube dispersed systems has increased. In comparison to the pure sample, the dispersed nanocomposites have a smaller optical band gap. A rise in the longitudinal component of permittivity and, consequently, the dielectric anisotropy of the dispersed nanocomposites has been observed by dielectric studies. When compared to the pure sample, the conductivity of both dispersed nanocomposite materials has increased by two orders of magnitude. For the system with dispersed functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, the threshold voltage, splay elastic constant, and rotational viscosity all decreased. For the dispersed nanocomposite of nonfunctionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, the value of the threshold voltage is somewhat decreased but the rotational viscosity and splay elastic constant both are enhanced. These findings show the applicability of the liquid crystal nanocomposites for display and electro-optical systems with appropriate tuning of the parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Kumar Singh
- Centre of Material Sciences, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj-211002, India
| | - Ravindra Dhar
- Centre of Material Sciences, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj-211002, India
| | - Roman Dabrowski
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Chemistry, Military University of Technology, Warsaw 00-908, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Jiang S, Romhányi J, White SR, Zhitomirsky ME, Chernyshev AL. Where is the Quantum Spin Nematic? PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 130:116701. [PMID: 37001099 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.130.116701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
We provide strong evidence of the spin-nematic state in a paradigmatic ferro-antiferromagnetic J_{1}-J_{2} model using analytical and density-matrix renormalization group methods. In zero field, the attraction of spin-flip pairs leads to a first-order transition and no nematic state, while pair repulsion at larger J_{2} stabilizes the nematic phase in a narrow region near the pair-condensation field. A devil's staircase of multipair condensates is conjectured for weak pair attraction. A suppression of the spin-flip gap by many-body effects leads to an order-of-magnitude contraction of the nematic phase compared to naïve expectations. The proposed phase diagram should be broadly valid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengtao Jiang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Judit Romhányi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Steven R White
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - M E Zhitomirsky
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP, CEA, IRIG, PHELIQS, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - A L Chernyshev
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Chen ZQ, Sun YW, Zhang XJ, Zhu YL, Li ZW, Sun ZY. External field induced defect transformation in circular confined Gay-Berne liquid crystals. J Chem Phys 2023; 158:104902. [PMID: 36922133 DOI: 10.1063/5.0135483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Normally, defects in two-dimensional, circular, confined liquid crystals can be classified into four types based on the position of singularities formed by liquid crystal molecules, i.e., the singularities located inside the circle, at the boundary, outside the circle, and outside the circle at infinity. However, it is considered difficult for small aspect ratio liquid crystals to generate all these four types of defects. In this study, we use molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the defect formed in Gay-Berne, ellipsoidal liquid crystals, with small aspect ratios confined in a circular cavity. As expected, we only find two types of defects (inside the circle and at the boundary) in circular, confined, Gay-Berne ellipsoids under static conditions at various densities, aspect ratios, and interactions between the wall and liquid crystals. However, when introducing an external field to the system, four types of defects can be observed. With increasing the strength of the external field, the singularities in the circular, confined system change from the inside to the boundary and the outside, and the farthest position that the singularities can reach depends on the strength of the external field. We further introduce an alternating, triangular wave, external field to the system to check if we can observe the transformation of different defects within an oscillating period. We find that the position of the singularities greatly depends on the oscillating intensity and oscillating period. By changing the oscillating intensity and oscillating period of the external field, the defect types can be adjusted, and the transformation between different defects can be easily observed. This provides a feasible way to modulate liquid crystal defects and investigate the transformation between different defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Qin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China and University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yu-Wei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China and University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Xiao-Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China and University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - You-Liang Zhu
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Zhan-Wei Li
- College of Chemistry and Green Catalysis Center, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Yan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China and University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lim Y, Lee S, Glotzer SC. Engineering the Thermodynamic Stability and Metastability of Mesophases of Colloidal Bipyramids through Shape Entropy. ACS NANO 2023; 17:4287-4295. [PMID: 36854051 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c07960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We report several types of entropy-driven phase transition behaviors in hard bipyramid systems using Monte Carlo simulations. Bipyramidal nanoparticle shapes are synthesizable from gold and silver, with sizes ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers. We report numerous colloidal crystalline phases with varying symmetries and complexities as the bipyramid aspect ratio and base polygon are varied. Some bipyramids are mesogenic and undergo either monotropic or enantiotropic phase transitions. We show that such mesophase behavior can be modulated by tuning the bipyramid aspect ratio. In addition, we report stepwise kinetic crystallization and melting pathways that occur via an intermediate mesophase as the system gains or loses order in successive stages. Our results demonstrate that complex phase transition behavior involving mesophases can be driven by entropy alone. Importantly, our results can guide the synthesis of bipyramid shapes able to assemble target structures and can be used to engineer the kinetic pathways to and from those structures to involve or avoid mesophases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yein Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Sangmin Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Sharon C Glotzer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kishor MH, Madhu Mohan MLN. Experimental realization of constant current device using hydrogen bond ferroelectric liquid crystals. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2023; 46:7. [PMID: 36809418 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00264-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrical, thermal, and spectral characterizations of ferroelectric liquid crystal obtained from the precursors namely camphoric acid and heptyloxy benzoic acid abbreviated as CA + 7BAO. This mesogen exhibits two phases smectic C* and smectic G* in its exothermic run. DSC thermograms reveals the phase transition temperatures and enthalpy values of those phases. The spectral information recorded through Fourier transform infrared spectroscope reveals the possession of hydrogen bond. An interesting feature of this work lies in realizing the constant current device with variation to both temperature as well as potential. The same observation shall be utilized for the sensitive biomedical instruments where the current rating above few µA increment do have significant effect. Furthermore, the research work also reveals the information about the linearity of the thermo-electric graph with respect to phase transition temperatures. Thermoelectric Plot.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - M L N Madhu Mohan
- Liquid Crystal Research Laboratory, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, 638401, India
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Review of Non-Crystalline and Crystalline Quaternary Ammonium Ions: Classification, Structural and Thermal Insight into Tetraalkylammonium Ions. J Mol Liq 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2023.121378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
|
23
|
Brisbois CA, Olvera de la Cruz M. Positional ordering induced by dynamic steric interactions in superparamagnetic rods. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:851-857. [PMID: 36632843 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01519f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic motion produced by precessing magnetic fields can drive matter into far-from-equilibrium states. We predict 1D periodic ordering in systems of precessing rods when magnetic interactions between rods remain insignificant. The precession angle of the rods is completely determined by the field's precession angle and the ratio of the field's precession frequency and the characteristic response frequency of the rods. We develop a molecular dynamics model that explicitly calculates magnetic interactions between particles, and we also simulate rods in the limit of a strong and fast precessing magnetic field where inter-rod magnetic interactions are negligible, using a purely steric model. Our simulations show how steric interactions drive the rods from a positionally disordered phase (nematic) to a layered (smectic) phase. As the rod precession angle increases, the nematic-smectic transition density significantly decreases. The minimization of unfavorable steric interactions also induces phase separation in binary mixtures of rods of different lengths. This effect is general to any force that produces precession in elongated particles. This work will advance the understanding and control of out-of-equilibrium soft matter systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chase Austyn Brisbois
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
| | - Monica Olvera de la Cruz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Martínez-Fernández D, Herranz M, Foteinopoulou K, Karayiannis NC, Laso M. Local and Global Order in Dense Packings of Semi-Flexible Polymers of Hard Spheres. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15030551. [PMID: 36771852 PMCID: PMC9919756 DOI: 10.3390/polym15030551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The local and global order in dense packings of linear, semi-flexible polymers of tangent hard spheres are studied by employing extensive Monte Carlo simulations at increasing volume fractions. The chain stiffness is controlled by a tunable harmonic potential for the bending angle, whose intensity dictates the rigidity of the polymer backbone as a function of the bending constant and equilibrium angle. The studied angles range between acute and obtuse ones, reaching the limit of rod-like polymers. We analyze how the packing density and chain stiffness affect the chains' ability to self-organize at the local and global levels. The former corresponds to crystallinity, as quantified by the Characteristic Crystallographic Element (CCE) norm descriptor, while the latter is computed through the scalar orientational order parameter. In all cases, we identify the critical volume fraction for the phase transition and gauge the established crystal morphologies, developing a complete phase diagram as a function of packing density and equilibrium bending angle. A plethora of structures are obtained, ranging between random hexagonal closed packed morphologies of mixed character and almost perfect face centered cubic (FCC) and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) crystals at the level of monomers, and nematic mesophases, with prolate and oblate mesogens at the level of chains. For rod-like chains, a delay is observed between the establishment of the long-range nematic order and crystallization as a function of the packing density, while for right-angle chains, both transitions are synchronized. A comparison is also provided against the analogous packings of monomeric and fully flexible chains of hard spheres.
Collapse
|
25
|
Indium tin oxide nanoparticles induced tunable dual alignment in nematic liquid crystal. J Mol Liq 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2023.121264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
|
26
|
Bogdanov O, Kazinski P, Korolev P, Lazarenko G. Short wavelength band structure of photons in cholesteric liquid crystals. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.121095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
27
|
Pozhidaev EP, Torgova SI, Barbashov VA. Electro-optics of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystal helical nanostructures. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
28
|
Kulabhusan PK, Ray R, Ramachandra SG, Srinivasulu M, Hariharan A, Balaji K, Mani NK. Coalescing aptamers and liquid-crystals for sensing applications. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.107980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
29
|
Functionalized and non-functionalized Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes in the anisotropic media of liquid crystalline material. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
30
|
Liu M, Zhang M, Chen J, Yang R, Huang Z, Liu Z, Li N, Shui L. Liquid crystal-based optical aptasensor for the sensitive and selective detection of Gram-negative bacteria. Sci China Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-022-1336-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
31
|
Thermal, optical, and volumetric studies on mixing properties of binary nematic mixtures of 9CHBT/11CHBT. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
32
|
Schreck C, Weihermüller J, Thoma P, Rosenfeldt S, Drechsler M, Förster C, Heinze K, Hörner G, Weber B. Solvent‐dependent self‐assembly of an amphiphilic copper(II) complex with bulky head groups. Eur J Inorg Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejic.202200341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Markus Drechsler
- Universitat Bayreuth Keylab Electron and Optical Microscopy GERMANY
| | - Christoph Förster
- Mainz University: Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Katja Heinze
- Mainz University: Johannes Gutenberg Universitat Mainz Chemistry GERMANY
| | | | - Birgit Weber
- Universitat Bayreuth Fachbereich Chemie Universitätsstr. 30, NW I 95440 Bayreuth GERMANY
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Franca LG, dos Santos PL, Pander P, Cabral MB, Cristiano R, Cazati T, Monkman AP, Bock H, Eccher J. Delayed Fluorescence by Triplet-Triplet Annihilation from Columnar Liquid Crystal Films. ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS 2022; 4:3486-3494. [PMID: 35910938 PMCID: PMC9330766 DOI: 10.1021/acsaelm.2c00432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Delayed fluorescence (DF) by triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) is observed in solutions of a benzoperylene-imidoester mesogen that shows a hexagonal columnar mesophase at room temperature in the neat state. A similar benzoperylene-imide with a slightly smaller HOMO-LUMO gap, that also is hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline at room temperature, does not show DF in solution, and mixtures of the two mesogens show no DF in solution either, because of collisional quenching of the excited triplet states on the imidoester by the imide. In contrast, DF by TTA from the imide but not from the imidoester is observed in condensed films of such mixtures, even though neat films of either single material are not displaying DF. In contrast to the DF from the monomeric imidoester in solution, DF of the imide occurs from dimeric aggregates in the blend films, assisted by the imidoester. Thus, the close contact of intimately stacked molecules of the two different species in the columnar mesophase leads to a unique mesophase-assisted aggregate DF. This constitutes the first observation of DF by TTA from the columnar liquid crystalline state. If the imide is dispersed in films of polybromostyrene, which provides an external heavy-atom effect facilitating triplet formation, DF is also observed. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) devices incorporating these liquid crystal molecules demonstrated high external quantum efficiency (EQE). On the basis of the literature and to the best of our knowledge, the EQE reported is the highest among nondoped solution-processed OLED devices using a columnar liquid crystal molecule as the emitting layer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa G. Franca
- Department
of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, United
Kingdom
- Departamento
de Física, Universidade Federal de
Santa Catarina, 88040900, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Paloma L. dos Santos
- Department
of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, United
Kingdom
| | - Piotr Pander
- Department
of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, United
Kingdom
- Faculty
of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Marília
G. B. Cabral
- Departamento
de Química, Universidade Federal
da Paraíba, CEP 58051-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
- Centre
de Recherche Paul-Pascal, CNRS & Université
de Bordeaux, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Rodrigo Cristiano
- Departamento
de Química, Universidade Federal
da Paraíba, CEP 58051-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Thiago Cazati
- Departamento
de Física, Universidade Federal de
Ouro Preto − UFOP, 35400-000, Ouro Preto, Minas
Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andrew P. Monkman
- Department
of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, United
Kingdom
| | - Harald Bock
- Centre
de Recherche Paul-Pascal, CNRS & Université
de Bordeaux, 33600, Pessac, France
| | - Juliana Eccher
- Departamento
de Física, Universidade Federal de
Santa Catarina, 88040900, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Chavda VP, Dawre S, Pandya A, Vora LK, Modh DH, Shah V, Dave DJ, Patravale V. Lyotropic liquid crystals for parenteral drug delivery. J Control Release 2022; 349:533-549. [PMID: 35792188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.06.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The necessity for long-term treatments of chronic diseases has encouraged the development of novel long-acting parenteral formulations intending to improve drug pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy. Lately, one of the novel approaches has been developed based on lipid-based liquid crystals. The lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) systems consist of amphiphilic molecules and are formed in presence of solvents with the most common types being cubic, hexagonal and lamellar mesophases. LC injectables have been recently developed based on polar lipids that spontaneously form liquid crystal nanoparticles in aqueous tissue environments to create the in-situ long-acting sustained-release depot to provide treatment efficacy over extended periods. In this manuscript, we have consolidated and summarized the various type of liquid crystals, recent formulation advancements, analytical evaluation, and therapeutic application of lyotropic liquid crystals in the field of parenteral sustained release drug delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivek P Chavda
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, India; Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharm, Technology, K. B. Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhinagar 382023, Gujarat, India.
| | - Shilpa Dawre
- Department of Pharmaceutics, SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Shirpur, India
| | - Anjali Pandya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai 400 019, India
| | - Lalitkumar K Vora
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Dharti H Modh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth's Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune, India
| | - Vidhi Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad 380009, India
| | - Divyang J Dave
- Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharm, Technology, K. B. Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhinagar 382023, Gujarat, India
| | - Vandana Patravale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai 400 019, India
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
|
36
|
Coumarin Schiff base-esters liquid crystals with symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkoxy chains: Synthesis, mesomorphic properties and DFT approach. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
37
|
2-Pyridinyl-Terminated Iminobenzoate: Type and Orientation of Mesogenic Core Effect, Geometrical DFT Investigation. CRYSTALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst12070902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
A new liquid crystal series of pyridin-2-yl 4-[4-(alkylphenyl)iminomethyl]benzoate was synthesized and characterized for their mesomorphic behavior. These compounds contain Schiff base and carboxylate ester mesogenic cores, in addition to terminal alkyl chains with a different number of carbons. The structures were confirmed via FT-IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The phase transitions were studied by differential thermal analysis (DSC) and the mesophase types were identified by polarized optical microscopy (POM). A comparative study was performed between the synthesized compounds and previously reported compounds. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were included in the study to compute the dipole moment and the polarizability, as well as the frontier molecular orbitals and the charge distribution mapping, which impact the terminal and lateral interactions of the compounds. The theoretical results were discussed to confirm the experimental data and explain the mesomorphic behavior of the compounds. Finally, the energy gap, global softness, and chemical hardness were calculated to determine the suitability of the liquid crystalline compounds to be employed in applications.
Collapse
|
38
|
Sabah CK, Yalçın B, Şimşek C, Gürsel YH, Erbil C. Improved mechanical properties of antimicrobial poly( N-[3-(dimethylaminopropyl)] methacrylamide) hydrogels prepared by free radical polymerization in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a lyotropic liquid crystal template. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:4156-4166. [PMID: 35583255 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00186a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The poor mechanical strength of the poly(N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl] methacrylamide) (PDMAPMAAm) hydrogel limits its application as a drug delivery system and antimicrobial agent. In this study, both its morphology and antibacterial effectiveness were controlled through free radical solution polymerization in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB; cationic nonreactive surfactant), forming lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) mesophases. All the templated reactions proceeded in four different CTAB concentrations with three different concentrations of DMAPMAAm (2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mol L-1), which were carried out in distilled-deionized water (DDW) using potassium persulfate (KPS) and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as the initiator and crosslinker, respectively. The pH-dependent phase transition temperature (34 °C at pH 14), compression moduli, antibacterial and diffusion properties, and the effect of the LLC mesophases of CTAB on the hydrogel properties were investigated by mechanical measurements, image analysis, inhibition zone tests, X-ray diffractograms and polarized optical microscopy (POM). It was found that the compression moduli of the templated (T)-PDMAPMAAm hydrogels increased by nearly ten times (from ∼3.0 to 30.0 kPa) compared to that of the isotropic (I) ones. The POM and XRD results before the removal of CTAB exhibited the formation of lamellar and hexagonal mesophases. Further, the inhibition zones showed the ability of the I-PDMAPMAAm hydrogels to reduce the activity of E. coli even in the absence of CTAB, gentamicin (GS) and ciprofloxacin (CF). This was because the quaternary ammonium (QA) groups on the DMAPMAAm units could interact with the bacterial membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cansu Kozbekci Sabah
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul 34469, Turkey.
| | - Bestenur Yalçın
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Bahcesehir University, Besiktas, Istanbul 34353, Turkey
| | - Ceyda Şimşek
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul 34469, Turkey.
| | - Yeşim H Gürsel
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul 34469, Turkey.
| | - Candan Erbil
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul 34469, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Jull EIL, Mandle RJ, Raistrick T, Zhang Z, Hine PJ, Gleeson HF. Toward In Silico Design of Highly Tunable Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ethan I. L. Jull
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Richard J. Mandle
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Thomas Raistrick
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Zhaopeng Zhang
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Peter J. Hine
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Helen F. Gleeson
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lin Y, Li G, Yu P, Ercan E, Chen W. Organic liquid crystals in optoelectronic device applications:
Field‐effect
transistors, nonvolatile memory, and photovoltaics. J CHIN CHEM SOC-TAIP 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jccs.202200061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yan‐Cheng Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
- Advanced Research Center of Green Materials Science and Technology National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Guan‐Syuan Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Ping‐Jui Yu
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Ender Ercan
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
- Advanced Research Center of Green Materials Science and Technology National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Wen‐Chang Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
- Advanced Research Center of Green Materials Science and Technology National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Janeczek H, Duale K, Sikorska W, Godzierz M, Kordyka A, Marcinkowski A, Hercog A, Musioł M, Kowalczuk M, Christova D, Rydz J. Poly(l-Lactide) Liquid Crystals with Tailor-Made Properties Toward a Specific Nematic Mesophase Texture. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2022; 10:3323-3334. [PMID: 35310687 PMCID: PMC8924921 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c08282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the liquid crystal (LC) properties of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA). Mesophase behavior is investigated using polarized optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The performed analyses confirm that pressed PLLA films exhibit the unique capability of self-assembling into a nematic mesophase under the influence of mechanical pressure, temperature, and time. It was originally demonstrated that the chiral nematic mesophase can be obtained by introducing fine powders into the polymer. Based on the research conducted, it was proved that the pressed PLLA films have a chiral nematic mesophase with a nematic-to-isotropic phase transition and a large mesophase stability range overlapping the temperature of the human body, which can persist for years at ambient temperature. The obtained films show tailor-made properties toward a nematic mesophase with a specific texture, including colored planar texture of the chiral nematic mesophase and blue-phase (BP) LC texture. The BP, described for the first time in plain PLLA, occurred over a wider than usual temperature range of stability between isotropic and chiral nematic thermotropic phases (ΔT ≈ 9 °C), which is an advantage of the obtained polymer material, in addition to ease of preparation. This opens up new prospects for advanced photonic green applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henryk Janeczek
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Khadar Duale
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Wanda Sikorska
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Marcin Godzierz
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kordyka
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Andrzej Marcinkowski
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Anna Hercog
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Marta Musioł
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Marek Kowalczuk
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- School
of Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna St., Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, U.K.
| | - Darinka Christova
- Institute
of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Akad. Georgi Bonchev Str., Bl. 103A, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Joanna Rydz
- Centre
of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowska 34, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Yang J, Gurung S, Bej S, Ni P, Howard Lee HW. Active optical metasurfaces: comprehensive review on physics, mechanisms, and prospective applications. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2022; 85:036101. [PMID: 35244609 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ac2aaf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Optical metasurfaces with subwavelength thickness hold considerable promise for future advances in fundamental optics and novel optical applications due to their unprecedented ability to control the phase, amplitude, and polarization of transmitted, reflected, and diffracted light. Introducing active functionalities to optical metasurfaces is an essential step to the development of next-generation flat optical components and devices. During the last few years, many attempts have been made to develop tunable optical metasurfaces with dynamic control of optical properties (e.g., amplitude, phase, polarization, spatial/spectral/temporal responses) and early-stage device functions (e.g., beam steering, tunable focusing, tunable color filters/absorber, dynamic hologram, etc) based on a variety of novel active materials and tunable mechanisms. These recently-developed active metasurfaces show significant promise for practical applications, but significant challenges still remain. In this review, a comprehensive overview of recently-reported tunable metasurfaces is provided which focuses on the ten major tunable metasurface mechanisms. For each type of mechanism, the performance metrics on the reported tunable metasurface are outlined, and the capabilities/limitations of each mechanism and its potential for various photonic applications are compared and summarized. This review concludes with discussion of several prospective applications, emerging technologies, and research directions based on the use of tunable optical metasurfaces. We anticipate significant new advances when the tunable mechanisms are further developed in the coming years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Yang
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
- Department of Physics, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States of America
| | - Sudip Gurung
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
- Department of Physics, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States of America
| | - Subhajit Bej
- Department of Physics, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States of America
| | - Peinan Ni
- Department of Physics, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States of America
| | - Ho Wai Howard Lee
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States of America
- Department of Physics, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Varshney D, Anu, Prakash J, Pratap Singh V, Yadav K, Singh G. Probing the impact of bismuth-titanate based nanocomposite on the dielectric and electro-optical features of a nematic liquid crystal material. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.118389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
44
|
Birdi N, Underwood TL, Wilding NB, Puri S, Banerjee V. Equilibrium phases and domain growth kinetics of calamitic liquid crystals. Phys Rev E 2022; 105:024706. [PMID: 35291087 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.105.024706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The anisotropic shape of calamitic liquid crystal (LC) particles results in distinct values of energy when the nematogens are placed side by side or end to end. This anisotropy in energy which is governed by a parameter κ^{'} has deep consequences on equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties. Using the Gay-Berne (GB) model, which exhibits the nematic (Nm) as well as the low-temperature smectic (Sm) order, we undertake large-scale Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations to probe the effect of κ^{'} on the equilibrium phase diagram and the nonequilibrium domain growth following a quench in the temperature T or coarsening. There are two transitions in the GB model: (i) isotropic to Nm at T_{c}^{1} and (ii) Nm to Sm at T_{c}^{2}<T_{c}^{1}. κ^{'} decreases T_{c}^{1} significantly but has relatively little effect on T_{c}^{2}. Domain growth in the Nm phase exhibits the well-known Lifshitz-Allen-Cahn (LAC) law, L(t)∼t^{1/2} and the evolution is via annihilation of string defects. The system exhibits dynamical scaling that is also robust with respect to κ^{'}. We find that the Sm phase at the quench temperatures T (T>T_{c}^{1}→T<T_{c}^{2}) that we consider has SmB order with a hexatic arrangement of the LC molecules in the layers (SmB-H phase). Coarsening in this phase exhibits a striking two-timescale scenario: First, the LC molecules align and develop orientational order (or nematicity), followed by the emergence of the characteristic layering (or smecticity) along with the hexatic bond-orientational-order within the layers. Consequently, the growth follows the LAC law L(t)∼t^{1/2} at early times and then shows a sharp crossover to a slower growth regime at later times. Our observations strongly suggest that L(t)∼t^{1/4} in this regime. Interestingly, the correlation function shows dynamical scaling in both the regimes and the scaling function is universal. The dynamics is also robust with respect to changes in κ^{'}, but the smecticity is more pronounced at larger values. Further, the early-time dynamics is governed by string defects, while the late-time evolution is dictated by interfacial defects. We believe this scenario is generic to the Sm phase even with other kinds of local order within the Sm layers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Birdi
- School of Interdisciplinary Research, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Tom L Underwood
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel B Wilding
- H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Royal Fort, Bristol BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjay Puri
- School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Varsha Banerjee
- School of Interdisciplinary Research, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Takemoto K, Ishii Y, Washizu H, Kim K, Matubayasi N. Simulating the nematic-isotropic phase transition of liquid crystal model via generalized replica-exchange method. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:014901. [PMID: 34998348 DOI: 10.1063/5.0073105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The nematic-isotropic (NI) phase transition of 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl was simulated using the generalized replica-exchange method (gREM) based on molecular dynamics simulations. The effective temperature is introduced in the gREM, allowing for the enhanced sampling of configurations in the unstable region, which is intrinsic to the first-order phase transition. The sampling performance was analyzed with different system sizes and compared with that of the temperature replica-exchange method (tREM). It was observed that gREM is capable of sampling configurations at sufficient replica-exchange acceptance ratios even around the NI transition temperature. A bimodal distribution of the order parameter at the transition region was found, which is in agreement with the mean-field theory. In contrast, tREM is ineffective around the transition temperature owing to the potential energy gap between the nematic and isotropic phases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kengo Takemoto
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Ishii
- Graduate School of Information Science, University of Hyogo, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Washizu
- Graduate School of Information Science, University of Hyogo, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kang Kim
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Matubayasi
- Division of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Sesé-Sansa E, Levis D, Pagonabarraga I. Phase separation of self-propelled disks with ferromagnetic and nematic alignment. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:054611. [PMID: 34942723 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.054611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We present a comprehensive study of a model system of repulsive self-propelled disks in two dimensions with ferromagnetic and nematic velocity alignment interactions. We characterize the phase behavior of the system as a function of the alignment and self-propulsion strength, featuring orientational order for strong alignment and motility-induced phase separation (MIPS) at moderate alignment but high enough self-propulsion. We derive a microscopic theory for these systems yielding a closed set of hydrodynamic equations from which we perform a linear stability analysis of the homogenous disordered state. This analysis predicts MIPS in the presence of aligning torques. The nature of the continuum theory allows for an explicit quantitative comparison with particle-based simulations, which consistently shows that ferromagnetic alignment fosters phase separation, while nematic alignment does not alter either the nature or the location of the instability responsible for it. In the ferromagnetic case, such behavior is due to an increase of the imbalance of the number of particle collisions along different orientations, giving rise to the self-trapping of particles along their self-propulsion direction. On the contrary, the anisotropy of the pair correlation function, which encodes this self-trapping effect, is not significantly affected by nematic torques. Our work shows the predictive power of such microscopic theories to describe complex active matter systems with different interaction symmetries and sheds light on the impact of velocity-alignment interactions in motility-induced phase separation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sesé-Sansa
- CECAM, Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Batochime, Avenue Forel 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Demian Levis
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.,UBICS University of Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems, Martí i Franquès 1, E08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Pagonabarraga
- CECAM, Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Batochime, Avenue Forel 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.,Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.,UBICS University of Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems, Martí i Franquès 1, E08028 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Liberman-Martin AL, Chang AB, Chu CK, Siddique RH, Lee B, Grubbs RH. Processing Effects on the Self-Assembly of Brush Block Polymer Photonic Crystals. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:1480-1486. [PMID: 35549148 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The self-assembly of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PDMS-b-PTMC) bottlebrush block polymers was investigated under different processing conditions. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and UV/Visible spectroscopy provided insight into the self-assembly and structure in response to heating and applied pressure. In the absence of applied pressure (i.e., before annealing), the PDMS-b-PTMC bottlebrush block polymers are white solids and adopt small, randomly oriented lamellar grains. Heating the materials to 140 °C in the absence of applied pressure appears to "lock in" the isotropic, short-range-ordered state, preventing the formation of the long-range-ordered lamellar structure responsible for photonic properties. Applying modest anisotropic pressure (3 psi) between parallel plates at ambient temperature orients the short-range lamellar grains; however, applied pressure alone does not produce long-range order. Only when the bottlebrush block polymers were heated (>100 °C) under modest pressure (3 psi) were long-range-ordered photonic crystals formed. Analysis of the SAXS data motivated analogies to liquid crystals and revealed the potential self-assembly pathway. These results provide insight into the structure and self-assembly of bottlebrush block polymers with low glass transition temperature side chains in response to different processing conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice B. Chang
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Crystal K. Chu
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Radwanul H. Siddique
- Department of Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Byeongdu Lee
- X-Ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Robert H. Grubbs
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Bala R, Sindhu RK, Kaundle B, Madaan R, Cavalu S. The prospective of liquid crystals in nano formulations for drug delivery systems. J Mol Struct 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.131117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
49
|
Nijjer J, Li C, Zhang Q, Lu H, Zhang S, Yan J. Mechanical forces drive a reorientation cascade leading to biofilm self-patterning. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6632. [PMID: 34789754 PMCID: PMC8599862 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26869-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In growing active matter systems, a large collection of engineered or living autonomous units metabolize free energy and create order at different length scales as they proliferate and migrate collectively. One such example is bacterial biofilms, surface-attached aggregates of bacterial cells embedded in an extracellular matrix that can exhibit community-scale orientational order. However, how bacterial growth coordinates with cell-surface interactions to create distinctive, long-range order during biofilm development remains elusive. Here we report a collective cell reorientation cascade in growing Vibrio cholerae biofilms that leads to a differentially ordered, spatiotemporally coupled core-rim structure reminiscent of a blooming aster. Cell verticalization in the core leads to a pattern of differential growth that drives radial alignment of the cells in the rim, while the growing rim generates compressive stresses that expand the verticalized core. Such self-patterning disappears in nonadherent mutants but can be restored through opto-manipulation of growth. Agent-based simulations and two-phase active nematic modeling jointly reveal the strong interdependence of the driving forces underlying the differential ordering. Our findings offer insight into the developmental processes that shape bacterial communities and provide ways to engineer phenotypes and functions in living active matter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Japinder Nijjer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Changhao Li
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Qiuting Zhang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Haoran Lu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sulin Zhang
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Jing Yan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Quantitative Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Usman KAS, Qin S, Henderson LC, Zhang J, Hegh DY, Razal JM. Ti 3C 2T x MXene: from dispersions to multifunctional architectures for diverse applications. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2021; 8:2886-2912. [PMID: 34724521 DOI: 10.1039/d1mh00968k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The exciting combination of high electrical conductivity, high specific capacitance and colloidal stability of two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene (referred to as MXene) has shown great potential in a wide range of applications including wearable electronics, energy storage, sensors, and electromagnetic interference shielding. To realize its full potential, recent literature has reported a variety of solution-based processing methodologies to develop MXenes into multifunctional architectures, such as fibres, films and aerogels. In response to these recent critical advances, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the diverse solution-based processing methodologies currently being used for MXene-architecture fabrication. A critical evaluation of the processing challenges directly affecting macroscale material properties and ultimately, the performance of the resulting prototype devices is also provided. Opportunities arising from the observed and foreseen challenges regarding their use are discussed to provide avenues for new designs and realise practical use in high performance applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ken Aldren S Usman
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| | - Si Qin
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| | - Luke C Henderson
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| | - Jizhen Zhang
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| | - Dylan Y Hegh
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| | - Joselito M Razal
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|