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Liao C, Gong Y, Che Y, Ji H, Liu B, Zang L, Che Y, Zhao J. Concentric hollow multi-hexagonal platelets from a small molecule. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5668. [PMID: 38971832 PMCID: PMC11227555 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49995-3] [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: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The creation of well-defined hollow two-dimensional structures from small organic molecules, particularly those with controlled widths and numbers of segments, remains a formidable challenge. Here we report the fabrication of the well-defined concentric hollow two-dimensional platelets with programmable widths and numbers of segments through constructing a concentric multiblock two-dimensional precursor followed by post-processing. The fabrication of concentric multi-hexagons two-dimensional platelets is realized by the alternative heteroepitaxial growth of two donor-acceptor molecules. Upon ultraviolet irradiation, one of the two donor-acceptor molecules can be selectively oxidized by singlet oxygen generated during the process, and the oxidized product becomes more soluble due to increased polarity. This allows for selective removal of the oxidized segments simply by solvent dissolution, yielding hollow multiblock two-dimensional structures. The hollow two-dimensional platelets can be utilized as templates to lithograph complex electrodes with precisely controlled gap sizes, thereby offering a platform for examining the optoelectronic performance of functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjun Gong
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanxue Che
- HT-NOVA Co. Ltd., Zhuyuan Road, Shunyi District, Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Ji
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Ling Zang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Yanke Che
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jincai Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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2
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Jin B, Hu L, Li X. Mesogenic Ordering-Driven Self-Assembly of Liquid Crystalline Block Copolymers in Solution. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400312. [PMID: 38454618 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400312] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
With the development of nanotechnology, the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles with nicely defined structures has been well-developed, and the functionalization and subsequent applications of the resultant nanostructures are becoming increasingly important. Particularly, by introducing mesogenic ordering as the driving force for the solution-state self-assembly of liquid crystalline (LC) block copolymers (BCPs), micellar nanostructures with different morphologies, especially anisotropic morphologies, can be easily prepared. This review summarizes the recent progress in the solution-state self-assembly of LC BCPs and is mostly focused on four main related aspects, including an in-depth understanding of the mesogenic ordering-driven self-assembly, precise assembly methods, utilization of these methods to fabricate hierarchical structures, and the potential applications of these well-defined nanostructures. We hope not only to make a systematic summary of previous studies but also to provide some useful thinking for the future development of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bixin Jin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Lingjuan Hu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of High Energy Density Materials, MOE. Beijing, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
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Brisson ERL, Worthington MJH, Kerai S, Müllner M. Nanoscale polymer discs, toroids and platelets: a survey of their syntheses and potential applications. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:1984-2021. [PMID: 38173417 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01114f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Polymer self-assembly has become a reliable and versatile workhorse to produce polymeric nanomaterials. With appropriate polymer design and monomer selection, polymers can assemble into shapes and morphologies beyond well-studied spherical and cylindrical micellar structures. Steadfast access to anisotropic polymer nanoparticles has meant that the fabrication and application of 2D soft matter has received increasing attention in recent years. In this review, we focus on nanoscale polymer discs, toroids, and platelets: three morphologies that are often interrelated and made from similar starting materials or common intermediates. For each morphology, we illustrate design rules, and group and discuss commonly used self-assembly strategies. We further highlight polymer compositions, fundamental principles and self-assembly conditions that enable precision in bottom-up fabrication strategies. Finally, we summarise potential applications of such nanomaterials, especially in the context of biomedical research and template chemistry and elaborate on future endeavours in this space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R L Brisson
- Key Centre for Polymers and Colloids, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Max J H Worthington
- Key Centre for Polymers and Colloids, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Simran Kerai
- Key Centre for Polymers and Colloids, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Markus Müllner
- Key Centre for Polymers and Colloids, School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006 NSW, Australia.
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano), The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006 NSW, Australia
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Lu Y, Gao J, Ren Y, Ding Y, Jia L. Synergetic Self-Assembly of Liquid Crystalline Block Copolymer with Amphiphiles for Fabrication of Hierarchical Assemblies. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304955. [PMID: 37649168 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Novel functions and advanced structure, where each single component could not be produced individually, can exhibit from the collective and synergistic behavior of component systems. This synergetic strategy has been successfully demonstrated for co-assembly of polymer-polymer to construct hierarchical nanomaterials. However, differences in the natures of polymer and small molecules impose challenges in the construction of sophisticated co-assemblies with geometrical and compositional control. Herein, a synergetic self-assembly strategy is proposed to prepare organic-organic hybrid colloidal mesostructures by blending a liquid crystalline block copolymer (LC-BCP) with small molecular amphiphiles. Through a classic solvent-exchange process, amphiphiles embedded with LC-BCP realize multi-component nucleation and hierarchical assembly driven by anisotropic interaction from the LC ordering alignment of the core-forming block. 1D nanofibers with a periodic striped structure are formed by further LC component fusion and refinement. In addition, LC ordering effect of LC-BCP can be regulated by selecting appropriate solvents and leads to the formation of vesicular co-micelles. By means of the thermal-responsive behavior of amphiphiles, hexagonal pore arrays are finally generated on the surface of those vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Lu
- Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Street 333, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Juanjuan Gao
- Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Street 333, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yangge Ren
- Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Street 333, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yi Ding
- Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Street 333, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Lin Jia
- Department of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Street 333, Shanghai, 200444, China
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Teng F, Xiang B, Liu L, Varlas S, Tong Z. Precise Control of Two-Dimensional Hexagonal Platelets via Scalable, One-Pot Assembly Pathways Using Block Copolymers with Crystalline Side Chains. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:28049-28060. [PMID: 38088129 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) in selective solvents provides a promising route for direct access to two-dimensional (2D) platelet micelles with excellent uniformity, although significant limitations also exist for this robust approach, such as tedious, multistep procedures, and low yield of assembled materials. Herein, we report a facile strategy for massively preparing 2D, highly symmetric hexagonal platelets with precise control over their dimensions based on BCPs with crystalline side chains. Mechanistic studies unveiled that the formation of hexagonal platelets was subjected to a hierarchical self-assembly process, involving an initial stage of formation of kinetically trapped spheres upon cooling driven by solvophobic interactions, and a second stage of fusion of such spheres to the 2D nuclei to initiate the lateral growth of hexagonal platelets via sequential particle attachments driven by thermodynamically ordered reorganization of the BCP upon aging. Moreover, the size of the developed 2D hexagonal platelets could be finely regulated by altering the copolymer concentration over a broad concentration range, enabling scale-up to a total solids concentration of at least 6% w/w. Our work reveals a new mechanism to create uniform 2D core-shell nanoparticles dictated by crystallization and particle fusion, while it also provides an alternative facile strategy for the design of soft materials with precise control of their dimensions, as well as for the scalability of the derived nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyang Teng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Bingbing Xiang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Liping Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Spyridon Varlas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, Brook Hill S3 7HF, Sheffield, U.K
| | - Zaizai Tong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering and Institute of Smart Biomedical Materials, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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Zhang C, Gao L, Lin J, Wang L. Hierarchical 2D-1D micelles self-assembled from the heterogeneous seeded-growth of rod-coil block copolymers. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:1412-1421. [PMID: 36594400 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05618f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Precise control of size and dimension is the key to constructing complex hierarchical nanostructures, particularly multi-dimensional hybrid nanoassemblies. Herein, we conducted Brownian dynamics simulations to examine the seeded-growth of rod-coil block copolymer assemblies and discovered that 2D-1D (disk-cylinder) hybrid micelles could be formed via liquid-crystallization-driven self-assembly (LCDSA). 2D nanodisk micelles with smectic-like LC cores served as seeds. After adding rod-coil block copolymers into the seed solution, the copolymers incorporated onto the 2D seed edges to generate junction points. Several cylindrical arms were formed from the elongation of junction points, resulting in 2D-1D multi-dimensional hybrid micelles. The structural transition of the micelle core from smectic-like (disk) to cholesteric-like (cylindrical arms) LC packing manners benefit from the fluidity of LC. Such a seeded-growth behavior simultaneously exhibits the features of heterogeneous nucleation and homogenous epitaxy growth. Intriguingly, the arms generate in sequence, and its junction position is in the para-position first, followed by ortho-position or meta-position, resembling the difference in the substituent activities on the benzene ring. These theoretical findings are consistent with experimental results, and provide explanations to some unaddressed issues in experiments. The obtained results also reveal that the hybrid micelles are a good stabilizer due to their high surface area and distinctive suspension behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Liang Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Liquan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
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Cai C, Lin J. Recent advances in the solution self‐assembly of polypeptides. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20220748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chunhua Cai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
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Huang YC, Chen WC, Kuo SW. Mesoporous Phenolic/POSS Hybrids Induced by Microphase Separation Arising from Competitive Hydrogen Bonding Interactions. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01585] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chi Huang
- Department of Materials and Optoelectronic Science, Center for Functional Polymers and Supramolecular Materials, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung804, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Chen
- Department of Materials and Optoelectronic Science, Center for Functional Polymers and Supramolecular Materials, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung804, Taiwan
| | - Shiao-Wei Kuo
- Department of Materials and Optoelectronic Science, Center for Functional Polymers and Supramolecular Materials, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung804, Taiwan
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Zhang C, Lin J, Wang L, Gao L. 2D Liquid-Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly of Rod-Coil Block Copolymers: Living Growth and Self-Similarity. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:6215-6222. [PMID: 35770907 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-crystallization-driven self-assembly (LCDSA) is an emerging methodology, which has been employed to construct controllable 1D nanostructures. However, 2D nanostructures via living LCDSA are rarely reported, and the complicated growth kinetics are not well-known. Herein, we perform Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations to investigate the 2D living growth of disklike micelles via LCDSA of rod-coil block copolymers. The 2D seeded-growth behavior is achieved by incorporating the unimers onto the edges of disklike seeds with smectic-like liquid-crystalline (LC) cores. The fluidity of such LC-like micellar cores is conducive to the chain adjustments of rod blocks during the 2D living growth process. The apparent growth rate and unique self-similarity kinetics are governed by the interplay between the variations in the growth rate coefficient and the reactive sites at the micelle edges. This work provides an in-depth understanding of the 2D living growth of micelles and guidance to construct well-defined 2D hierarchical nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyan Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Liquan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Liang Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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