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Abstract
Conjugated polymers have been actively studied as an alternative to inorganic semiconductors for their unique optical and electrical properties and low-cost solution processability. However, typical conjugated polymer films contain numerous defects that negatively affect their transport properties, which remains a major issue despite much effort to develop ways to improve the molecular packing structure. In principle, conjugated block copolymers (BCPs) composed of a rod-type conjugated polymer and a coil-type insulating polymer can assemble into various types of ordered nanostructures based on the microphase segregation of two polymer blocks. However, such assembly typically requires a relatively large volume fraction of the coil block or modification of the rod block, both of which tend to impede charge transport. As an alternative, we and others have fabricated nanoscale assemblies of conjugated BCPs via solution-phase self-assembly, which can be used as building blocks for construction of extended nanoarrays of conjugated polymers. In particular, BCPs containing poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a conjugated polymer widely used for its high hole mobility, form highly ordered and technologically relevant one-dimensional (1D) nanowires with controlled lengths. A range of well-defined assembly structures such as square plates, ribbons, vesicles, and helices have been prepared from various conjugated BCPs, resembling those of peptide self-assembly, forming diverse nanostructures through combinations of π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions.When the self-assembly of P3HT BCPs takes place at an air-water interface, the initially formed polymer nanowires further assemble into hierarchical two-dimensional (2D) nanoarrays with solvent evaporation. The fluidic nature of the water subphase allows fabrication of highly ordered assembly structures from P3HT BCPs with high P3HT content. The ultrathin free-standing film integrated in a field effect transistor (FET) showed orders of magnitude higher current and hole mobility compared to that fabricated by conventional spin-coating. Furthermore, binary self-assembly of a P3HT BCP and quantum dots (QDs) at the air-water interface generates well-ordered 2D films of alternating P3HT nanowires and 1D QD arrays. Unlike coil-coil BCP systems, QDs reside at the interface between P3HT and coil blocks for a broad range of QD sizes due to the strong P3HT packing interactions and the flexible water subphase, forming tight p-n junctions for enhanced photocurrent. Incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles can further improve the degree of order, enabling fabrication of long-range order and direction-controlled P3HT nanoarrays through magnetic-field induced self-assembly.The conjugated BCP approach is highly modular and can be combined with various types of functional molecules, polymers, and nanoparticles, offering a powerful platform for fabrication of functional polymer nanostructures with desired morphologies and properties. This Account introduces recent advances in the self-assembly of π-conjugated BCPs, describes how they differ from prototypical coil-coil type BCPs, and discusses current issues and future outlooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seulki Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Ga-Hyun Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - So-Jung Park
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Korea
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Kim H, Kim I, Hwang JH, Park J, Ahn H, Han EH, Lee E. Glutathione-adaptive peptide amphiphile vesicles rationally designed using positionable disulfide-bridges for effective drug transport. Polym Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py00504e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The drug loading/releasing capability of GSH-responsive nanovesicles self-assembled from peptide amphiphiles was controlled by varying the location and number of disulfide-linkages in the peptide for the selective drug-release into tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayeon Kim
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
- Gwangju 61005
- Republic of Korea
| | - Inhye Kim
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
- Gwangju 61005
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Ho Hwang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
- Gwangju 61005
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyun Park
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
- Gwangju 61005
- Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungju Ahn
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory
- Pohang University of Science and Technology
- Pohang 37673
- Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hee Han
- Division of Bioconvergence Analysis
- Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI)
- Cheongju 28119
- Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
- Gwangju 61005
- Republic of Korea
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Sequential Symmetry-Breaking Intercolumnar Transformations of a Conjugated Rod Molecule with a Flexible Coil. Macromol Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s13233-019-7173-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Luan J, Lu C, Guo Y, Li F, Wang G. Influence of selective solvents on self-assembly behaviors of amphiphilic hyperbranched poly(aryl ether ketone)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) rod–coil copolymer. HIGH PERFORM POLYM 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/0954008316639116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
An amphiphilic hyperbranched poly(aryl ether ketone)- graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (HPAEK- graft-PEG) rod–coil copolymer was synthesized by grafting linear PEG onto hydroxyl-terminated HPAEK (OH-HPAEK). The molecular structure, the number-average molecular weight and the thermal properties of HPAEK- graft-PEG were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The self-assembly behaviors of HPAEK- graft-PEG in the mixed solvents were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that the selective solvent in the used mixed solvents exerted remarkable influence on the morphology of the resulting micelles. When the mixed solvents were water/tetrahydrofuran (THF), trichloromethane/THF, and toluene/THF, that is, with the decrease of the selective solvents in polarity, HPAEK- graft-PEG could self-assemble into the regular microspheres with obvious core–shell structure, the similar quadrilateral-shaped micelles with the dimension of about 20 nm and the large complicated clew-shaped micelles, as well as the irregular large compound micelles, respectively. It is worth mentioning that the similar quadrilateral-shaped micelles were different from the toroidal micelles reported already, which had relatively obvious “angle”. The phenomenon may be ascribed that the rigid characteristic of rod HAPEK segment was conducive to the maintenance of the metastable state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiashuang Luan
- College of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of High Performance Plastics, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chunhua Lu
- Department of Applied Chemical Engineering, Jilin Vocational College of Industry and Technology, Jilin, China
| | - Yunliang Guo
- College of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of High Performance Plastics, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Feng Li
- College of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of High Performance Plastics, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guibin Wang
- College of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of High Performance Plastics, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Kim I, Jeong HH, Kim YJ, Lee NE, Huh KM, Lee CS, Kim GH, Lee E. A “Light-up” 1D supramolecular nanoprobe for silver ions based on assembly of pyrene-labeled peptide amphiphiles: cell-imaging and antimicrobial activity. J Mater Chem B 2014; 2:6478-6486. [DOI: 10.1039/c4tb00892h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The histidine-coated fibrils response to Ag+ with fluorescence enhancement was developed through a rational design based on the aqueous self-assembly of peptides for potential use as cell-imaging and antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inhye Kim
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology
- Chungnam National University
- Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Heon-Ho Jeong
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Chungnam National University
- Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Jae Kim
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology
- Chungnam National University
- Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Na-Eun Lee
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology
- Chungnam National University
- Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang-moo Huh
- Department of Polymer Engineering
- Chungnam National University
- Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Soo Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Chungnam National University
- Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Geon Hee Kim
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology
- Chungnam National University
- Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
- Center for Analytical Instrumentation Development
- Korea Basic Science Institute
| | - Eunji Lee
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology
- Chungnam National University
- Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
- Center for Analytical Instrumentation Development
- Korea Basic Science Institute
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Li W, Kim Y, Lee M. Intelligent supramolecular assembly of aromatic block molecules in aqueous solution. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:7711-7723. [PMID: 23881254 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr02574h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The construction of supramolecular nanoscopic architectures has been intensively pursued because of their unique features for applications in nanoscience and biomimetic chemistry. Molecular self-assemblies of aromatic rod-coil amphiphiles consisting of rigid rod segments and hydrophilic flexible chains in aqueous solution provide a facile avenue into this area. This feature article highlights the recent progress regarding the construction of aqueous assemblies that result from the sophisticated design of aromatic rod-coils, with the aim to develop stimuli-responsive systems and bioactive materials. Important factors affecting the self-assembly morphologies are discussed and summarized. Dynamic structural changes triggered by temperature and guest molecules are demonstrated. Finally, the perspective of bioactive nanostructures originated from self-assembly of aromatic block amphiphiles is also introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- State Key Lab of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
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Mercury assisted fluorescent supramolecular assembly of hexaphenylbenzene derivative for femtogram detection of picric acid. Anal Chim Acta 2013; 793:99-106. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2013.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Lee JK, Kim SH, Choi S, Ha JG, Cho BK, Zin WC. Sequential transformation of the crystalline rod domain from a flat ribbon to segmented columnar to micellar structure. Macromol Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s13233-013-1179-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Choi I, Park IS, Ryu JH, Lee M. Control of peptide assembly through directional interactions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2012; 48:8481-3. [PMID: 22543454 DOI: 10.1039/c2cc31872e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate the self-assembly of tripeptide amphiphiles into spherical hollow capsules from linear nanoribbons via control of the molecular packing. We achieved a transition of arrangement from anisotropic to isotropic by an elaborate design of the molecular architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inho Choi
- Center for Bio-Responsive-Assembly, Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea
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Kamps AC, Fryd M, Park SJ. Hierarchical self-assembly of amphiphilic semiconducting polymers into isolated, bundled, and branched nanofibers. ACS NANO 2012; 6:2844-2852. [PMID: 22381129 DOI: 10.1021/nn300385p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report a high-yield click synthesis and self-assembly of conjugated amphiphilic block copolymers of polythiophene (PHT) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and their superstructures. A series of different length PHT(m)-b-PEG(n) with well-defined relative block lengths was synthesized by a click-coupling reaction and self-assembled into uniform and stably suspended nanofibers in selective solvents. The length of nanofibers was controllable by varying the relative block lengths while keeping other dimensions and optical properties unaffected for a broad range of f(PHT) (0.41 to 0.82), which indicates that the packing of PHT dominates the self-assembly of PHT(m)-b-PEG(n). Furthermore, superstructures of bundled and branched nanofibers were fabricated through the self-assembly of PHT(m)-b-PEG(n) and preformed PHT nanofibers. The shape, length, and density of the hierarchical assembly structures can be controlled by varying the solvent quality, polymer lengths, and block copolymer/homopolymer ratio. This work demonstrates that complex superstructures of organic semiconductors can be fabricated through the bottom-up approach using preformed nanofibers as building blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C Kamps
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Jain A, Rao KV, Kulkarni C, George A, George SJ. Fluorescent coronene monoimide gels via H-bonding induced frustrated dipolar assembly. Chem Commun (Camb) 2012; 48:1467-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c1cc14990c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Choi JW, Ryu MH, Lee E, Cho BK. Ion-Induced Bicontinuous Cubic and Columnar Liquid-Crystalline Assemblies of Discotic Block Codendrimers. Chemistry 2010; 16:9006-9. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201001337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Wang C, Chen Q, Xu H, Wang Z, Zhang X. Photoresponsive supramolecular amphiphiles for controlled self-assembly of nanofibers and vesicles. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2010; 22:2553-2555. [PMID: 20446304 DOI: 10.1002/adma.200904334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Key Lab of Organic Optoelctronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Chang WH, Chou SH, Lin JJ, Chen WC, Sheng YJ. Thin film morphologies of π-conjugated rod-coil block copolymers with thermoresponsive property: A combined experimental and molecular simulation study. J Chem Phys 2010; 132:214901. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3428761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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Shiraishi Y, Suzuki T, Hirai T. Photosensitized isomerization of olefin with benzophenone-conjugated amphiphilic graft copolymers. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2010.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Alemseghed MG, Servello J, Hundt N, Sista P, Biewer MC, Stefan MC. Amphiphilic Block Copolymers Containing Regioregular Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline). MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.200900725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Chen Y, Lv Y, Han Y, Zhu B, Zhang F, Bo Z, Liu CY. Dendritic effect on supramolecular self-assembly: organogels with strong fluorescence emission induced by aggregation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2009; 25:8548-8555. [PMID: 19290647 DOI: 10.1021/la803436h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A novel class of dumbbell-shaped dendritic molecules with a p-terphenylene core was synthesized, and their self-assembling properties were investigated. The incorporation of bulky dendritic wedges to the central stiff aromatic scaffolds could finely tune their solubility in many organic solvents. Unlike the self-assembly behavior of p-terphenylen-1,4"-ylenebis(dodecanamide), the p-terphenylene cored different generation dendritic molecules could form gels in several kinds of organic solvents through a cooperative effect of the pi-pi stacking, hydrogen-bonding, and van der Waals forces. Interestingly, significant fluorescence enhancement was observed after gelation. Extensive investigations with atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), theological measurements, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) revealed that these dendritic molecules self-assembled into elastically interpenetrating one-dimensional nanostructures in organogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulan Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
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