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Kato T, Uchida J, Ishii Y, Watanabe G. Aquatic Functional Liquid Crystals: Design, Functionalization, and Molecular Simulation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306529. [PMID: 38126650 PMCID: PMC10885670 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic functional liquid crystals, which are ordered molecular assemblies that work in water environment, are described in this review. Aquatic functional liquid crystals are liquid-crystalline (LC) materials interacting water molecules or aquatic environment. They include aquatic lyotropic liquid crystals and LC based materials that have aquatic interfaces, for example, nanoporous water treatment membranes that are solids preserving LC order. They can remove ions and viruses with nano- and subnano-porous structures. Columnar, smectic, bicontinuous LC structures are used for fabrication of these 1D, 2D, 3D materials. Design and functionalization of aquatic LC sensors based on aqueous/LC interfaces are also described. The ordering transitions of liquid crystals induced by molecular recognition at the aqueous interfaces provide distinct optical responses. Molecular orientation and dynamic behavior of these aquatic functional LC materials are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The molecular interactions of LC materials and water are key of these investigations. New insights into aquatic functional LC materials contribute to the fields of environment, healthcare, and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan
| | - Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Ishii
- Department of Data Science, School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Go Watanabe
- Department of Data Science, School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, 252-0373, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (KISTEC), Ebina, 243-0435, Japan
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Jackson GL, Kim SA, Jayaraman A, Diallo SO, Mahanthappa MK. Consequences of Convex Nanopore Chemistry on Confined Water Dynamics. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:1495-1508. [PMID: 32065528 PMCID: PMC7122394 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b10176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A fundamental understanding of confined water is crucial for developing selective ion transport and water purification membranes, yet the roles of nanopore geometry and functionality on confined water dynamics remain unresolved. We report the synthesis of perdeuterated ionic alkylsulfonate amphiphiles and their water-induced self-assembly into lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) mesophases with well-defined, convex, sulfonate-lined nanopores. Quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) measurements demonstrate that the water self-diffusion coefficients within these sulfonate-lined convex nanopores depend on the hydration level and amphiphile counterion identity (H+, K+, NMe4+). The consistency of the observed counterion-dependent water dynamics trends with those of carboxylate LLCs is rationalized on the basis of similarities in the counterion spatial distributions in the water-filled channels, which we deduce from electron density maps derived from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analyses. These findings indicate that water diffusion is systematically faster in sulfonate-lined nanopores as compared to carboxylate-lined pores due to weaker water interactions with the softer and more hydrophobic-SO3- functionalities. These molecular-level insights into the relationships between convex pore wall chemical functionalities, hydrated counterions, and confined water diffusion may inform future development of new nanoporous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grayson L. Jackson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
| | - Sung A Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Ave, S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Ashish Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Ave, S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Souleymane O. Diallo
- Chemical and Engineering Materials Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Mahesh K. Mahanthappa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Ave, S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Porras-Gomez M, Leal C. Lipid-based Liquid Crystalline Films and Solutions for the Delivery of Cargo to Cells. LIQUID CRYSTALS REVIEWS 2019; 7:167-182. [PMID: 31942262 PMCID: PMC6961842 DOI: 10.1080/21680396.2019.1666752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in the delivery of cargo (genes and/or drugs) to cells using nanostructured vehicles is the ability to safely penetrate plasma membranes by escaping the endosome before degradation, later releasing the payload into the cytoplasm or organelle of interest. Lipids are a class of bio-compatible molecules that self-assemble into a variety of liquid crystalline constructs. Most of these materials can be used to encapsulate drugs, proteins, and nucleic acids to deliver them safely into various cell types. Lipid phases offer a plethora of structures capable of forming complexes with biomolecules, most notably nucleic acids. The physichochemical characteristics of the lipid molecular building blocks, one might say the lipid primary structure, dictates how they collectively interact to assemble into various secondary structures. These include bilayers, lamellar stacks of bilayers, two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal arrays of lipid tubes, and even 3D cubic constructs. The liquid crystalline materials can be present in the form of aqueous suspensions, bulk materials or confined to a film configuration depending on the intended application (e.g. bolus vs surface-based delivery). This work compiles recent findings of different lipid-based liquid crystalline constructs both in films and particles for gene and drug delivery applications. We explore how lipid primary and secondary structures endow liquid crystalline materials with the ability to carry biomolecular cargo and interact with cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Porras-Gomez
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Cecilia Leal
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Jackson GL, Mantha S, Kim SA, Diallo SO, Herwig KW, Yethiraj A, Mahanthappa MK. Ion-Specific Confined Water Dynamics in Convex Nanopores of Gemini Surfactant Lyotropic Liquid Crystals. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:10031-10043. [PMID: 30251848 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b05942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The impact of pore geometry and functionality on the dynamics of water nanoconfined in porous media are the subject of some debate. We report the synthesis and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) characterization of a series of perdeuterated gemini surfactant lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs), in which convex, water-filled nanopores of well-defined dimensions are lined with carboxylate functionalities. Quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) measurements of the translational water dynamics in these dicarboxylate LLC nanopores as functions of the surfactant hydration state and the charge compensating counterion (Na+, K+, NMe4+) reveal that the measured dynamics depend primarily on surfactant hydration, with an unexpected counterion dependence that varies with hydration number. We rationalize these trends in terms of a balance between counterion-water attractions and the nanopore volume excluded by the counterions. On the basis of electron density maps derived from SAXS analyses of these LLCs, we directly show that the volume excluded by the counterions depends on both their size and spatial distribution in the water-filled channels. The translational water dynamics in the convex pores of these LLCs are also slower than those reported in the concave pores of AOT reverse micelles, implying that water dynamics also depend on the nanopore curvature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grayson L Jackson
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Sriteja Mantha
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Sung A Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science , University of Minnesota , 421 Washington Avenue, S.E. , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | | | | | - Arun Yethiraj
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Mahesh K Mahanthappa
- Department of Chemistry , University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science , University of Minnesota , 421 Washington Avenue, S.E. , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
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