1
|
Ethier J, Antoniuk ER, Brettmann B. Predicting polymer solubility from phase diagrams to compatibility: a perspective on challenges and opportunities. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:5652-5669. [PMID: 38995233 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00590b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Polymer processing, purification, and self-assembly have significant roles in the design of polymeric materials. Understanding how polymers behave in solution (e.g., their solubility, chemical properties, etc.) can improve our control over material properties via their processing-structure-property relationships. For many decades the polymer science community has relied on thermodynamic and physics-based models to aid in this endeavor, but all rely on disparate data sets and use-case scenarios. Hence, there are still significant challenges to predict a priori the solubility of a polymer, whether it is for selecting sustainable solvents, obtaining thermodynamic parameters for phase separation, or navigating the coexistence curve. This perspective aims to discuss the different approaches of applying computational tools to predict polymer solubility, with a significant focus on machine learning techniques to capture the rapid progress in that space. We examine challenges and opportunities that remain for creating a comprehensive solubility toolset that can accelerate the design of a broad range of applications including films, membranes, and pharmaceuticals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Ethier
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, USA
| | - Evan R Antoniuk
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - Blair Brettmann
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
- Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fauquignon M, Porcar L, Brûlet A, Le Meins JF, Sandre O, Chapel JP, Schmutz M, Schatz C. In Situ Monitoring of Block Copolymer Self-Assembly via Solvent Exchange through Controlled Dialysis with Light and Neutron Scattering Detection. ACS Macro Lett 2023; 12:1272-1279. [PMID: 37671995 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Solution self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers (BCs) is typically performed by a solvent-to-water exchange. However, BC assemblies are often trapped in metastable states depending on the mixing conditions such as the magnitude and rate of water addition. BC self-assembly can be performed under near thermodynamic control by dialysis, which accounts for a slow and gradual water addition. In this Letter we report the use of a specifically designed dialysis cell to continuously monitor by dynamic light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering the morphological changes of PDMS-b-PEG BCs self-assemblies during THF-to-water exchange. The complete phase diagrams of near-equilibrium structures can then be established. Spherical micelles first form before evolving to rod-like micelles and vesicles, decreasing the total developed interfacial area of self-assembled structures in response to increasing interfacial energy as the water content increases. The dialysis kinetics can be tailored to the time scale of BC self-assembly by modifying the membrane pore size, which is of interest to study the interplay between thermodynamics and kinetics in self-assembly pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Fauquignon
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - Lionel Porcar
- Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Annie Brûlet
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA) Saclay, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | | | - Olivier Sandre
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Paul Chapel
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (CRPP), UMR CNRS 5031, Université de Bordeaux, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Marc Schmutz
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Institut Charles Sadron, UPR 22, F-67034 Strasbourg, France
| | - Christophe Schatz
- Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600, Pessac, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zika A, Agarwal M, Schweins R, Gröhn F. Joining Two Switches in One Nano-Object: Photoacidity and Photoisomerization in Electrostatic Self-Assembly. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202203373. [PMID: 36336659 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202203373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Multi-switchable supramolecular nano-objects that respond to irradiation of different wavelengths with changes in size and shape have been built from two different water-soluble molecular switches, joined by attachment to the same polyelectrolyte. Accordingly, two wavelength-specific reactions, namely the excited-state proton dissociation of a photoacid and the cis-trans isomerization of an azo dye, are combined in one supramolecular nano-object that is stable in aqueous solution. The concept has potential in the fields of sensors, molecular motors, and transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Zika
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy &, Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstraße 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mohit Agarwal
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy &, Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstraße 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.,DS / LSS, Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20 156, 38042, Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Ralf Schweins
- DS / LSS, Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20 156, 38042, Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Franziska Gröhn
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy &, Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstraße 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yaghmur A, Hamad I. Microfluidic Nanomaterial Synthesis and In Situ SAXS, WAXS, or SANS Characterization: Manipulation of Size Characteristics and Online Elucidation of Dynamic Structural Transitions. Molecules 2022; 27:4602. [PMID: 35889473 PMCID: PMC9323596 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27144602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
With the ability to cross biological barriers, encapsulate and efficiently deliver drugs and nucleic acid therapeutics, and protect the loaded cargos from degradation, different soft polymer and lipid nanoparticles (including liposomes, cubosomes, and hexosomes) have received considerable interest in the last three decades as versatile platforms for drug delivery applications and for the design of vaccines. Hard nanocrystals (including gold nanoparticles and quantum dots) are also attractive for use in various biomedical applications. Here, microfluidics provides unique opportunities for the continuous synthesis of these hard and soft nanomaterials with controllable shapes and sizes, and their in situ characterization through manipulation of the flow conditions and coupling to synchrotron small-angle X-ray (SAXS), wide-angle scattering (WAXS), or neutron (SANS) scattering techniques, respectively. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic devices are attractive not only for the continuous production of monodispersed nanomaterials, but also for improving our understanding of the involved nucleation and growth mechanisms during the formation of hard nanocrystals under confined geometry conditions. They allow further gaining insight into the involved dynamic structural transitions, mechanisms, and kinetics during the generation of self-assembled nanostructures (including drug nanocarriers) at different reaction times (ranging from fractions of seconds to minutes). This review provides an overview of recently developed 2D and 3D microfluidic platforms for the continuous production of nanomaterials, and their simultaneous use in in situ characterization investigations through coupling to nanostructural characterization techniques (e.g., SAXS, WAXS, and SANS).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anan Yaghmur
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Islam Hamad
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Madaba, Madaba 11821, Jordan;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jain V, Patel VB, Singh B, Varade D. Microfluidic Device Based Molecular Self-Assembly Structures. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
|
6
|
Rosén T, Wang R, He H, Zhan C, Chodankar S, Hsiao BS. Shear-free mixing to achieve accurate temporospatial nanoscale kinetics through scanning-SAXS: ion-induced phase transition of dispersed cellulose nanocrystals. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:1084-1095. [PMID: 33514993 PMCID: PMC8323814 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01048k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Time-resolved in situ characterization of well-defined mixing processes using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is usually challenging, especially if the process involves changes of material viscoelasticity. In specific, it can be difficult to create a continuous mixing experiment without shearing the material of interest; a desirable situation since shear flow both affects nanoscale structures and flow stability as well as resulting in unreliable time-resolved data. Here, we demonstrate a flow-focusing mixing device for in situ nanostructural characterization using scanning-SAXS. Given the interfacial tension and viscosity ratio between core and sheath fluids, the core material confined by sheath flows is completely detached from the walls and forms a zero-shear plug flow at the channel center, allowing for a trivial conversion of spatial coordinates to mixing times. With this technique, the time-resolved gel formation of dispersed cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was studied by mixing with a sodium chloride solution. It is observed how locally ordered regions, so called tactoids, are disrupted when the added monovalent ions affect the electrostatic interactions, which in turn leads to a loss of CNC alignment through enhanced rotary diffusion. The demonstrated flow-focusing scanning-SAXS technique can be used to unveil important kinetics during structural formation of nanocellulosic materials. However, the same technique is also applicable in many soft matter systems to provide new insights into the nanoscale dynamics during mixing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Rosén
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew York 11794-3400USA
- Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologySE-100 44 StockholmSweden
- Wallenberg Wood Science Center, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologySE-100 44 StockholmSweden
| | - Ruifu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew York 11794-3400USA
| | - HongRui He
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew York 11794-3400USA
| | - Chengbo Zhan
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew York 11794-3400USA
| | - Shirish Chodankar
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National LabUptonNYUSA
| | - Benjamin S. Hsiao
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew York 11794-3400USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Czajka A, Armes SP. In situ SAXS studies of a prototypical RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization formulation: monitoring the evolution in copolymer morphology during polymerization-induced self-assembly. Chem Sci 2020; 11:11443-11454. [PMID: 34094387 PMCID: PMC8162469 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc03411h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is used to characterize the in situ formation of diblock copolymer spheres, worms and vesicles during reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) aqueous dispersion polymerization of 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate at 70 °C using a poly(glycerol monomethacrylate) steric stabilizer. 1H NMR spectroscopy indicates more than 99% HPMA conversion within 80 min, while transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering studies are consistent with the final morphology being pure vesicles. Analysis of time-resolved SAXS patterns for this prototypical polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) formulation enables the evolution in copolymer morphology, particle diameter, mean aggregation number, solvent volume fraction, surface density of copolymer chains and their mean inter-chain separation distance at the nanoparticle surface to be monitored. Furthermore, the change in vesicle diameter and membrane thickness during the final stages of polymerization supports an 'inward growth' mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Czajka
- Dainton Building Brook Hill Sheffield South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
| | - Steven P Armes
- Dainton Building Brook Hill Sheffield South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ratcliffe LPD, Derry MJ, Ianiro A, Tuinier R, Armes SP. A Single Thermoresponsive Diblock Copolymer Can Form Spheres, Worms or Vesicles in Aqueous Solution. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:18964-18970. [PMID: 31596541 PMCID: PMC6973111 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201909124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
It is well-known that the self-assembly of AB diblock copolymers in solution can produce various morphologies depending on the relative volume fraction of each block. Recently, polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has become widely recognized as a powerful platform technology for the rational design and efficient synthesis of a wide range of block copolymer nano-objects. In this study, PISA is used to prepare a new thermoresponsive poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide)-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) [PHPMAC-PHPMA] diblock copolymer. Remarkably, TEM, rheology and SAXS studies indicate that a single copolymer composition can form well-defined spheres (4 °C), worms (22 °C) or vesicles (50 °C) in aqueous solution. Given that the two monomer repeat units have almost identical chemical structures, this system is particularly well-suited to theoretical analysis. Self-consistent mean field theory suggests this rich self-assembly behavior is the result of the greater degree of hydration of the PHPMA block at lower temperature, which is in agreement with variable temperature 1 H NMR studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liam P. D. Ratcliffe
- Department of Chemistry, Dainton BuildingUniversity of SheffieldBrook HillSouth YorkshireS3 7HFUK
- Present address: Unilever Research & DevelopmentColworth Laboratory, Colworth HouseSharnbrookBedfordMK44 1LQUK
| | - Matthew J. Derry
- Department of Chemistry, Dainton BuildingUniversity of SheffieldBrook HillSouth YorkshireS3 7HFUK
| | - Alessandro Ianiro
- Laboratory of Physical ChemistryDepartment of Chemical Engineering & Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyP.O. Box 513, 5600MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Remco Tuinier
- Laboratory of Physical ChemistryDepartment of Chemical Engineering & Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyP.O. Box 513, 5600MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department of Chemistry, Dainton BuildingUniversity of SheffieldBrook HillSouth YorkshireS3 7HFUK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ratcliffe LPD, Derry MJ, Ianiro A, Tuinier R, Armes SP. A Single Thermoresponsive Diblock Copolymer Can Form Spheres, Worms or Vesicles in Aqueous Solution. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201909124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Liam P. D. Ratcliffe
- Department of Chemistry, Dainton BuildingUniversity of Sheffield Brook Hill South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
- Present address: Unilever Research & DevelopmentColworth Laboratory, Colworth House Sharnbrook Bedford MK44 1LQ UK
| | - Matthew J. Derry
- Department of Chemistry, Dainton BuildingUniversity of Sheffield Brook Hill South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
| | - Alessandro Ianiro
- Laboratory of Physical ChemistryDepartment of Chemical Engineering & Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Remco Tuinier
- Laboratory of Physical ChemistryDepartment of Chemical Engineering & Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Department of Chemistry, Dainton BuildingUniversity of Sheffield Brook Hill South Yorkshire S3 7HF UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Brotherton EE, Hatton FL, Cockram AA, Derry MJ, Czajka A, Cornel EJ, Topham PD, Mykhaylyk OO, Armes SP. In Situ Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Studies During Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Aqueous Emulsion Polymerization. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:13664-13675. [PMID: 31364361 PMCID: PMC6716212 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b06788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is a powerful platform technology for the rational and efficient synthesis of a wide range of block copolymer nano-objects (e.g., spheres, worms or vesicles) in various media. In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization have previously provided detailed structural information during self-assembly (see M. J. Derry et al., Chem. Sci. 2016 , 7 , 5078 - 5090 ). However, conducting the analogous in situ SAXS studies during RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerizations poses a formidable technical challenge because the inherently heterogeneous nature of such PISA formulations requires efficient stirring to generate sufficiently small monomer droplets. In the present study, the RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerization of 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate (MOEMA) has been explored for the first time. Chain extension of a relatively short non-ionic poly(glycerol monomethacrylate) (PGMA) precursor block leads to the formation of sterically-stabilized PGMA-PMOEMA spheres, worms or vesicles, depending on the precise reaction conditions. Construction of a suitable phase diagram enables each of these three morphologies to be reproducibly targeted at copolymer concentrations ranging from 10 to 30% w/w solids. High MOEMA conversions are achieved within 2 h at 70 °C, which makes this new PISA formulation well-suited for in situ SAXS studies using a new reaction cell. This bespoke cell enables efficient stirring and hence allows in situ monitoring during RAFT emulsion polymerization for the first time. For example, the onset of micellization and subsequent evolution in particle size can be studied when preparing PGMA29-PMOEMA30 spheres at 10% w/w solids. When targeting PGMA29-PMOEMA70 vesicles under the same conditions, both the micellar nucleation event and the subsequent evolution in the diblock copolymer morphology from spheres to worms to vesicles are observed. These new insights significantly enhance our understanding of the PISA mechanism during RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma E. Brotherton
- Dainton Building,
Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona L. Hatton
- Dainton Building,
Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Amy A. Cockram
- Dainton Building,
Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Derry
- Dainton Building,
Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Czajka
- Dainton Building,
Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Erik J. Cornel
- Dainton Building,
Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D. Topham
- Aston Institute of
Materials Research, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom
| | - Oleksandr O. Mykhaylyk
- Dainton Building,
Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| | - Steven P. Armes
- Dainton Building,
Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vakili M, Merkens S, Gao Y, Gwozdz PV, Vasireddi R, Sharpnack L, Meyer A, Blick RH, Trebbin M. 3D Micromachined Polyimide Mixing Devices for in Situ X-ray Imaging of Solution-Based Block Copolymer Phase Transitions. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:10435-10445. [PMID: 31318572 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b00728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Advances in modern interface- and material sciences often rely on the understanding of a system's structure-function relationship. Designing reproducible experiments that yield in situ time-resolved structural information at fast time scales is therefore of great interest, e.g., for better understanding the early stages of self-assembly or other phase transitions. However, it can be challenging to accurately control experimental conditions, especially when samples are only available in small amounts, prone to agglomeration, or if X-ray compatibility is required. We address these challenges by presenting a microfluidic chip for triggering dynamics via rapid diffusive mixing for in situ time-resolved X-ray investigations. This polyimide/Kapton-only-based device can be used to study the structural dynamics and phase transitions of a wide range of colloidal and soft matter samples down to millisecond time scales. The novel multiangle laser ablation three-dimensional (3D) microstructuring approach combines, for the first time, the highly desirable characteristics of Kapton (high X-ray stability with low background, organic solvent compatibility) with a 3D flow-focusing geometry that minimizes mixing dispersion and wall agglomeration. As a model system, to demonstrate the performance of these 3D Kapton microfluidic devices, we selected the non-solvent-induced self-assembly of biocompatible and amphiphilic diblock copolymers. We then followed their structural evolution in situ at millisecond time scales using on-the-chip time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering under continuous-flow conditions. Combined with complementary results from 3D finite-element method computational fluid dynamics simulations, we find that the nonsolvent mixing is mostly complete within a few tens of milliseconds, which triggers initial spherical micelle formation, while structural transitions into micelle lattices and their deswelling only occur on the hundreds of milliseconds to second time scale. These results could have an important implication for the design and formulation of amphiphilic polymer nanoparticles for industrial applications and their use as drug-delivery systems in medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yunyun Gao
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
| | | | | | - Lewis Sharpnack
- Beamline ID02 , European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) , 71 Avenue des Martyrs , 38043 Grenoble , France
| | - Andreas Meyer
- Institute for Physical Chemistry , University of Hamburg , Martin-Luther-King Platz 6 , 20146 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Robert H Blick
- Department of Materials Sciences and Engineering , University of Wisconsin- Madison , 1500 University Ave. , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Martin Trebbin
- Department of Chemistry, BioXFEL, RENEW and Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute (HWI) , State University of New York at Buffalo , 760 Natural Sciences Complex , Buffalo , New York 14260-3000 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Merkens S, Vakili M, Sánchez-Iglesias A, Litti L, Gao Y, Gwozdz PV, Sharpnack L, Blick RH, Liz-Marzán LM, Grzelczak M, Trebbin M. Time-Resolved Analysis of the Structural Dynamics of Assembling Gold Nanoparticles. ACS NANO 2019; 13:6596-6604. [PMID: 31095366 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b00575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The hydrophobic collapse is a structural transition of grafted polymer chains in a poor solvent. Although such a transition seems an intrinsic event during clustering of polymer-stabilized nanoparticles in the liquid phase, it has not been resolved in real time. In this work, we implemented a microfluidic 3D-flow-focusing mixing reactor equipped with real-time analytics, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy to study the early stage of cluster formation for polystyrene-stabilized gold nanoparticles. The polymer shell dynamics obtained by in situ SAXS analysis and numerical simulation of the solvent composition allowed us to map the interaction energy between the particles at early state of solvent mixing, 30 ms behind the crossing point. We found that the rate of hydrophobic collapse depends on water concentration, ranging between 100 and 500 nm/s. Importantly, we confirmed that the polymer shell collapses prior to the commencement of clustering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Merkens
- CIC nanoGUNE , Tolosa Hiribidea 76 , 20018 Donostia - San Sebastián , Spain
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging (CUI) , University of Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Mohammad Vakili
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging (CUI) , University of Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Ana Sánchez-Iglesias
- CIC biomaGUNE and CIBER-BBN , Paseo Miramón 182 , 20014 , Donostia - San Sebastián , Spain
| | - Lucio Litti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche , Univerisità degli Studi di Padova , Via Marzolo 1 , 35131 Padova , Italy
| | - Yunyun Gao
- Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Paul V Gwozdz
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures (CHyN) , University of Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Lewis Sharpnack
- Beamline ID02 , The European Synchrotron (ESRF) , 71 Avenue des Martyrs , 38043 Grenoble , France
| | - Robert H Blick
- Center for Hybrid Nanostructures (CHyN) , University of Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
| | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- CIC biomaGUNE and CIBER-BBN , Paseo Miramón 182 , 20014 , Donostia - San Sebastián , Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science , 48013 Bilbao , Spain
| | - Marek Grzelczak
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science , 48013 Bilbao , Spain
- Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) , Manuel Lardizabal Ibilbidea 4 , 20018 Donostia - San Sebastián , Spain
| | - Martin Trebbin
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging (CUI) , University of Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
- Department of Chemistry , The State University of New York at Buffalo , 760 Natural Sciences Complex , Buffalo , New York 14260-3000 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Monteiro DCF, Vakili M, Harich J, Sztucki M, Meier SM, Horrell S, Josts I, Trebbin M. A microfluidic flow-focusing device for low sample consumption serial synchrotron crystallography experiments in liquid flow. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2019; 26:406-412. [PMID: 30855249 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577519000304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Serial synchrotron crystallography allows low X-ray dose, room-temperature crystal structures of proteins to be determined from a population of microcrystals. Protein production and crystallization is a non-trivial procedure and it is essential to have X-ray-compatible sample environments that keep sample consumption low and the crystals in their native environment. This article presents a fast and optimized manufacturing route to metal-polyimide microfluidic flow-focusing devices which allow for the collection of X-ray diffraction data in flow. The flow-focusing conditions allow for sample consumption to be significantly decreased, while also opening up the possibility of more complex experiments such as rapid mixing for time-resolved serial crystallography. This high-repetition-rate experiment allows for full datasets to be obtained quickly (∼1 h) from crystal slurries in liquid flow. The X-ray compatible microfluidic chips are easily manufacturable, reliable and durable and require sample-flow rates on the order of only 30 µl h-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana C F Monteiro
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| | - Mohammad Vakili
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| | - Jessica Harich
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| | - Michael Sztucki
- ESRF, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, Grenoble CS 40220, France
| | - Susanne M Meier
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| | - Sam Horrell
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| | - Inokentijs Josts
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| | - Martin Trebbin
- The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, Hamburg 22761, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Adsorption of lysozyme on pH-responsive PnBA-b-PAA polymeric nanoparticles: studies by stopped-flow SAXS and ITC. Colloid Polym Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00396-018-4329-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
|
15
|
Silva BFB. SAXS on a chip: from dynamics of phase transitions to alignment phenomena at interfaces studied with microfluidic devices. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 19:23690-23703. [PMID: 28828415 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp02736b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The field of microfluidics offers attractive possibilities to perform novel experiments that are difficult (or even impossible) to perform using conventional bulk and surface-based methods. Such attractiveness comes from several important aspects inherent to these miniaturized devices. First, the flow of fluids under submillimeter confinement typically leads to a drop of inertial forces, meaning that turbulence is practically suppressed. This leads to predictable and controllable flow profiles, along with well-defined chemical gradients and stress fields that can be used for controlled mixing and actuation on the micro and nanoscale. Secondly, intricate microfluidic device designs can be fabricated using cleanroom standard procedures. Such intricate geometries can take diverse forms, designed by researchers to perform complex tasks, that require exquisite control of flow of several components and gradients, or to mimic real world examples, facilitating the establishment of more realistic models. Thirdly, microfluidic devices are usually compatible with in situ or integrated characterization methods that allow constant real-time monitoring of the processes occurring inside the microchannels. This is very different from typical bulk-based methods, where usually one can only observe the final result, or otherwise, take quick snapshots of the evolving process or take aliquots to be analyzed separately. Altogether, these characteristics inherent to microfluidic devices provide researchers with a set of tools that allow not only exquisite control and manipulation of materials at the micro and nanoscale, but also observation of these effects. In this review, we will focus on the use and prospects of combining microfluidic devices with in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (and related techniques such as small-angle neutron scattering and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy), and their enormous potential for physical-chemical research, mainly in self-assembly and phase-transitions, and surface characterization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno F B Silva
- Department of Life Sciences, INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga, Braga 4715-330, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mable C, Derry MJ, Thompson KL, Fielding LA, Mykhaylyk OO, Armes SP. Time-Resolved SAXS Studies of the Kinetics of Thermally Triggered Release of Encapsulated Silica Nanoparticles from Block Copolymer Vesicles. Macromolecules 2017; 50:4465-4473. [PMID: 28626247 PMCID: PMC5472368 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Silica-loaded poly(glycerol monomethacrylate)-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer vesicles are prepared in the form of concentrated aqueous dispersions via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). As the concentration of silica nanoparticles present during the PISA synthesis is increased up to 35% w/w, higher degrees of encapsulation of this component within the vesicles can be achieved. After centrifugal purification to remove excess non-encapsulated silica nanoparticles, SAXS, DCP, and TGA analysis indicates encapsulation of up to hundreds of silica nanoparticles per vesicle. In the present study, the thermally triggered release of these encapsulated silica nanoparticles is examined by cooling to 0 °C for 30 min, which causes in situ vesicle dissociation. Transmission electron microscopy studies confirm the change in diblock copolymer morphology and also enable direct visualization of the released silica nanoparticles. Time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering is used to quantify the extent of silica release over time. For an initial silica concentration of 5% w/w, cooling induces a vesicle-to-sphere transition with subsequent nanoparticle release. For higher silica concentrations (20 or 30% w/w) cooling only leads to perforation of the vesicle membranes, but silica nanoparticles are nevertheless released through the pores. For vesicles prepared in the presence of 30% w/w silica, the purified silica-loaded vesicles were cooled to 0 °C for 30 min, and SAXS patterns were collected every 15 s. A new SAXS model has been developed to determine both the mean volume fraction of encapsulated silica within the vesicles and the scattering length density. Satisfactory data fits to the experimental SAXS patterns were obtained using this model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte
J. Mable
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Matthew J. Derry
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Kate L. Thompson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| | - Lee A. Fielding
- The
School of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
| | | | - Steven P. Armes
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield S3 7HF, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|