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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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Zhao L, Chen J, Bai B, Song G, Zhang J, Yu H, Huang S, Wang Z, Lu G. Topical drug delivery strategies for enhancing drug effectiveness by skin barriers, drug delivery systems and individualized dosing. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1333986. [PMID: 38293666 PMCID: PMC10825035 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1333986] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Topical drug delivery is widely used in various diseases because of the advantages of not passing through the gastrointestinal tract, avoiding gastrointestinal irritation and hepatic first-pass effect, and reaching the lesion directly to reduce unnecessary adverse reactions. The skin helps the organism to defend itself against a huge majority of external aggressions and is one of the most important lines of defense of the body. However, the skin's strong barrier ability is also a huge obstacle to the effectiveness of topical medications. Allowing the bioactive, composition in a drug to pass through the stratum corneum barrier as needed to reach the target site is the most essential need for the bioactive, composition to exert its therapeutic effect. The state of the skin barrier, the choice of delivery system for the bioactive, composition, and individualized disease detection and dosing planning influence the effectiveness of topical medications. Nowadays, enhancing transdermal absorption of topically applied drugs is the hottest research area. However, enhancing transdermal absorption of drugs is not the first choice to improve the effectiveness of all drugs. Excessive transdermal absorption enhances topical drug accumulation at non-target sites and the occurrence of adverse reactions. This paper introduces topical drug delivery strategies to improve drug effectiveness from three perspectives: skin barrier, drug delivery system and individualized drug delivery, describes the current status and shortcomings of topical drug research, and provides new directions and ideas for topical drug research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Ethnic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiamei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bai Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Ethnic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Guili Song
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Ethnic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Ethnic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiwei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Ethnic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Guanghua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Ethnic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Money J, Munguia-Fernández JG, Norouzi S, Esmaeili M, Martínez-González JA, Sadati M. Photonic features of blue phase liquid crystals under curved confinement. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:12231-12247. [PMID: 37750291 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03284a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Blue phase (BP) liquid crystals represent a fascinating state of soft matter that showcases unique optical and electro-optical properties. Existing between chiral nematic and isotropic phases, BPs are characterized by a three-dimensional cubic lattice structure resulting in selective Bragg reflections of light and consequent vivid structural colors. However, the practical realization of these material systems is hampered by their narrow thermal stability and multi-domain crystalline nature. This feature article provides an overview of the efforts devoted to stabilizing these phases and creating monodomain structures. In particular, it delves into the complex relationship between geometrical confinement, induced curvature, and the structural stability and photonic features of BPs. Understanding the interaction of curved confinement and structural stability of BPs proves crucially important for the integration of these materials into flexible and miniaturized devices. By shedding light on these critical aspects, this feature review aims to highlight the significance of understanding the coupling effects of physical and mechanical forces on the structural stability of these systems, which can pave the way for the development of efficient and practical devices based on BP liquid crystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Money
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Juan G Munguia-Fernández
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosí 78210, SLP, México
| | - Sepideh Norouzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Mohsen Esmaeili
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - José A Martínez-González
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosí 78210, SLP, México
| | - Monirosadat Sadati
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
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He K, Zhou Y, Ramezani-Dakhel H, de Pablo JJ, Fernandez-Nieves A, Lopez-Leon T. From nematic shells to nematic droplets: energetics and defect transitions. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:1395-1403. [PMID: 35103746 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00241d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we investigate the possibility of inducing valence transitions, i.e. transitions between different defect configurations, by transforming a nematic shell into a nematic droplet. Our shells are liquid crystal droplets containing a smaller aqueous droplet inside, which are suspended in an aqueous phase. When osmotically de-swelling the inner droplet, the shell progressively increases its thickness until it eventually becomes a single droplet. During the process, the shell energy landscape evolves, triggering a response in the system. We observe two different scenarios. Either the inner droplet progressively shrinks and disappears, inducing a defect reorganization, or it is expelled from the shell at a critical radius of the inner droplet, abruptly changing the geometry of the system. We use numerical simulations and modeling to investigate the origin of these behaviors. We find that the selected route depends on the defect structure and the energetics of the system as it evolves. The critical inner radius and time for expulsion depend on the osmotic pressure of the outer phase, suggesting that the flow through the shell plays a role in the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunyun He
- Laboratoire Gulliver, UMR 7083 CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Ye Zhou
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Hadi Ramezani-Dakhel
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Alberto Fernandez-Nieves
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA-Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Lopez-Leon
- Laboratoire Gulliver, UMR 7083 CNRS, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France.
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Jana PK, Lam J, Mangal R, Alava MJ, Parveen N, Laurson L. Impurity-induced nematic-isotropic transition of liquid crystals. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:8825-8835. [PMID: 33876042 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp06577c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Complex fluids made of liquid crystals (LCs) and small molecules, surfactants, nanoparticles or 1D/2D nanomaterials show novel and interesting features, making them suitable materials for various applications starting from optoelectronics to biosensing. While these additives (impurities) introduce new features in the complex fluids, they may also alter the phase transition behaviour of LCs depending on the physiochemical properties of the added impurity. This article reports on the phase transition of 4-cyano-4'-alkylbiphenyl (nCB) LCs in the presence of an associative impurity, i.e., water and a non-associative impurity, i.e., hexane employing computational methods and experiments. In particular, all-atom (AA) simulations and coarse-grained (CG) models were designed for two complex systems, i.e., 6CB + water and 6CB + hexane and corresponding spectrophotometry experiments were performed using a homologous LC, i.e., 5CB. Results from the simulations and experiments elucidate that the phase transition of LCs depends on the mixing/demixing phenomenon of the impurity in the LC. While associative liquids like water which do not mix with LCs do not influence the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition of LCs, hexane, being a non-associative liquid, mixes well with LCs and induces a sharp impurity-induced nematic-to-isotropic phase transition. Upon application of both AA and CG simulations, we could reach the conclusion that the mixing/demixing phenomenon in an LC + impurity system influences the entropy of the system and hence the observed phase transitions are entropy-driven.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritam Kumar Jana
- COMP Centre of Excellence, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland.
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Ramezani-Dakhel H, Rahimi M, Pendery J, Kim YK, Thayumanavan S, Roux B, Abbott NL, de Pablo JJ. Amphiphile-Induced Phase Transition of Liquid Crystals at Aqueous Interfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:37618-37624. [PMID: 30285408 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b09639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Monolayer assemblies of amphiphiles at planar interfaces between thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) and an aqueous phase can give rise to configurational transitions of the underlying LCs. A common assumption has been that a reconfiguration of the LC phase is caused by an interdigitation of the hydrophobic tails of amphiphiles with the molecules of the LC at the interface. A different mechanism is discovered here, whereby reorientation of the LC systems is shown to occur through lowering of the orientation-dependent surface energy of the LC due to formation of a thin isotropic layer at the aqueous interface. Using a combination of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and experiments, we demonstrate that a monolayer of specific amphiphiles at an aqueous interface can cause a local nematic-to-isotropic phase transition of the LC by disturbing the antiparallel configuration of the LC molecules. These results provide new insights into the interfacial, molecular-level organization of LCs that can be exploited for rational design of biological sensors and responsive systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joel Pendery
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Young-Ki Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Sankaran Thayumanavan
- Department of Chemistry , University of Massachusetts , Amherst , Massachusetts 01003 , United States
| | - Benoît Roux
- Argonne National Laboratory , Argonne , Illinois 60439 , United States
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Argonne National Laboratory , Argonne , Illinois 60439 , United States
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Sumer Z, Striolo A. Manipulating molecular order in nematic liquid crystal capillary bridgesviasurfactant adsorption: guiding principles from dissipative particle dynamics simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:30514-30524. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp04492a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Effect of surfactant tail length on the orientation of liquid crystals is investigated with dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Sumer
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- University College London
- London WC1E 7JE
- UK
| | - Alberto Striolo
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- University College London
- London WC1E 7JE
- UK
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