High-Speed Production of Crystalline Semiconducting Polymer Line Arrays by Meniscus Oscillation Self-Assembly

On-Demand Dynamic Chirality Selection in Flower Corolla-like Micropillar Arrays

Chiral morphology has been intensively studied in various fields including biology, organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and optics. On-demand and dynamic chiral inversion not only cannot be realized in most intrinsically chiral materials but also has mostly been limited to chemical or light-induced methods. Herein, we report reversible real-time magneto-mechanical chiral inversion of a three-dimensional (3D) micropillar array between achiral, clockwise, and counterclockwise chiral arrangements. Inspired by the flower corolla, achiral arrays of five and six radially arranged semicylindrical micropillars were employed as model systems to investigate the dynamic symmetry properties of arrays consisting of odd and even numbers of micropillars, respectively. Each micropillar underwent twisting actuation with a different twisting angle depending on the angle with the magnetic field direction and magnetic flux density, thereby collectively changing the chirality from the achiral to chiral state. Importantly, the morphological handedness of the micropillars was inverted within a few seconds by manipulating the direction of the magnetic field. A chiral morphology consisting of magnetically twisted micropillars was shape-fixed by the introduction of a polymeric binder. This binder could be simply washed off to return the shape-fixed twisted micropillars to their initial straight state. Magnetically programmable and reproducible 3D flower corolla-like micropillar arrays are expected to expand the potential of shape-reconfigurable devices that require real-time chiral manipulation in ambient environments.

Programmable Stepwise Collective Magnetic Self-Assembly of Micropillar Arrays

Chain-like magnetic self-organizations have been documented for micron/submicron-scale magnetic particles. However, the positions of the particles are not stationary in a sustaining fluid owing to Brownian translational motion, resulting in irregular magnetic self-assembly. Toward the development of a programmable and reversible magnetic self-assembly, we report a stepwise collective magnetic self-assembly with periodic polymeric micropillar arrays containing magnetic particles. Under an external magnetic field, the individual micropillar acts as a micromagnet; magnetic polarities of embedded ferromagnetic particles are arranged in the same direction. The nearest pillar tops undergo a pairwise assembly owing to the anisotropic quadrupolar interaction, whereas the pillar bases remain stationary because of the presence of a magnetically inert substrate. By increasing the magnetic flux density, a collective quad-body assembly of vicinal paired micropillars is accomplished, finally leading to long-range connectivity of the pillar tops. Simple evaporation of the polymeric solution yields shape-fixation of the connected micropillar architectures even after magnetic fields are removed. We investigate geometric effects on this stepwise collective magnetic self-assembly using rectangular, square, and circular micropillars. Also, we demonstrate spatially selective magnetic self-assembly (e.g., arbitrary letters) using a masking technique. Finally, we demonstrate on-demand programming of bidirectional liquid spreading through long-range ordered magnetic self-assembly.

Micro-patterned deposition of MoS2 ultrathin-films by a controlled droplet dragging approach

Micropatterning of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) ultrathin-films and monolayers has been demonstrated by various multi-step approaches. However, directly achieving a patterned growth of TMDC films is still considered to be challenging. Here, we report a solution-based approach for the synthesis of patterned MoS₂ layers by dragging a precursor solution droplet with variable velocities across a substrate. Utilizing the pronounced shearing velocity dependence in a Landau-Levich deposition regime, MoS₂ films with a spatially modulated thickness with alternating mono/bi- and few-layer regions are obtained after precursor annealing. Generally, the presented facile methodology allows for the direct preparation of micro-structured functional materials, extendable to other TMDC materials and even van der Waals heterostructures.

Large-Scale Rapid Positioning of Hierarchical Assemblies of Conjugated Polymers via Meniscus-Assisted Self-Assembly

Rapid and deliberate patterning of nanomaterials over a large area is desirable for device manufacturing. We report a method for meniscus-assisted self-assembly (MASA)-enabled rapid positioning of hierarchically assembled dots and stripes composed of luminescent conjugated polymer over two length scales. Periodically arranged conjugated poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) polymers, yield dots, punch-holes and stripes at microscopic scale via MASA. Concurrent self-assembly of PFOs into two-dimensional lenticular crystals within each dot, punch-hole and stripe is realized at nanoscopic scale. Hierarchical assembly is achieved by constraining the evaporation of the PFOs solution in two approximately parallel plates via a MASA process. The three-phase contact line (TCL) of the liquid meniscus of the PFOs was printed using the upper plate, yielding an array of curved stripes. Rapid creation of hierarchical assemblies via MASA opens up possibilities for large-scale organization of a wide range of soft matters and nanomaterials.

Recent Developments on Semiconducting Polymer Nanoparticles as Smart Photo-Therapeutic Agents for Cancer Treatments-A Review

Semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPN) have been emerging as novel functional nano materials for phototherapy which includes PTT (photo-thermal therapy), PDT (photodynamic therapy), and their combination. Therefore, it is important to look into their recent developments and further explorations specifically in cancer treatment. Therefore, the present review describes novel semiconducting polymers at the nanoscale, along with their applications and limitations with a specific emphasis on future perspectives. Special focus is given on emerging and trending semiconducting polymeric nanoparticles in this review based on the research findings that have been published mostly within the last five years.