Influencing Particle Size and Stability of Ionic Dendrimer−Dye Assemblies

Photoacid-macroion assemblies: how photo-excitation switches the size of nano-objects

Electrostatic self-assembly of photoacids with oppositely charged macroions yields supramolecular nano-objects in aqueous solutions, whose size is controlled through light irradiation. Nano-assemblies are formed due to electrostatic attractions and mutual hydrogen bonding of the photoacids. Irradiation with UV light leads to the deprotonation of the photoacid and, consequently, a change in particle size. Overall, the hydrodynamic radii of the well-defined photoacid-macroion nano-objects lie between 130 and 370 nm. For a set of photoacids, we determine the acidity constants in the ground and excited state, discuss the sizes of photoacid-macroion nano-objects (by dynamic and static light scattering), their composition and the particle shapes (by small-angle neutron scattering), and relate their charge characteristics to size, structure and shape. We investigate the association thermodynamics and relate nanoscale structures to thermodynamics and, in turn, thermodynamics to molecular features, particularly the ionization energy of the photoacid hydroxyl group proton. Structure-directing effects completely differ from those for previously investigated systems, with hydrogen bonding and entropic effects playing a major role herein. This combined approach allows developing a comprehensive understanding of assembly formation and photo-response, anchored in molecular parameters (pKa, ionization energy, substituent group location), charge characteristics, and the association enthalpy and entropy. This fundamental understanding again paves the way for tailoring application solutions with novel photoresponsive materials.

Controlling the Morphology in Electrostatic Self-Assembly via Light

Electrostatic self-assembly of macroions is an emerging area with great potential in the development of nanoscale functional objects, where photo-irradiation responsiveness can either elevate or suppress the self-assembly. The ability to control the size and shape of macroion assemblies would greatly facilitate the fabrication of desired nano-objects that can be harnessed in various applications such as catalysis, drug delivery, bio-sensors, and actuators. Here, we demonstrate that a polyelectrolyte with a size of 5 nm and multivalent counterions with a size of 1 nm can produce well-defined nanostructures ranging in size from 10-1000 nm in an aqueous environment by utilizing the concept of electrostatic self-assembly and other intermolecular non-covalent interactions including dipole-dipole interactions. The pH- and photoresponsiveness of polyelectrolytes and azo dyes provide diverse parameters to tune the nanostructures. Our findings demonstrate a facile approach to fabricating and manipulating self-assembled nanoparticles using light and neutron scattering techniques.

Joining Two Switches in One Nano-Object: Photoacidity and Photoisomerization in Electrostatic Self-Assembly

Multi-switchable supramolecular nano-objects that respond to irradiation of different wavelengths with changes in size and shape have been built from two different water-soluble molecular switches, joined by attachment to the same polyelectrolyte. Accordingly, two wavelength-specific reactions, namely the excited-state proton dissociation of a photoacid and the cis-trans isomerization of an azo dye, are combined in one supramolecular nano-object that is stable in aqueous solution. The concept has potential in the fields of sensors, molecular motors, and transport.

pH- and Functionalization-Dependent Host-Guest Interactions Between Fluorescein and Various Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers

Dendrimers are branched macromolecules that can be functionalized with a large variety of chemical moieties. Dendrimers can therefore be specifically designed to interact with target molecules. Although tailored dendrimers hold promise for targeted drug delivery and wastewater cleanup, these applications require more detailed and systematic studies on how dendrimer-guest interactions depend on environmental conditions. In light of this need, we studied pH-dependent interactions between fluorescein and poly(amidoamine) dendrimers with three different terminal groups. Crucially, both fluorescein and dendrimers have multiple protonation equilibria, which can enable interactions in different pH windows through various possible mechanisms. Such interactions are studied through UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies, which reveal a redshift that occurs upon fluorescein-dendrimer binding. The resulting pH-dependent spectra are complex but can be analyzed quantitatively with an open-source mathematical protocol. Consequently, we show that fluorescein binds across four pH units with amine-terminated dendrimers, across two units with hydroxyl-terminated dendrimers and does not interact attractively with carboxyl-terminated dendrimers. These functionalization-dependent host-guest interactions stabilize fluorescein's dianionic form and are predominantly electrostatically driven, with likely auxiliary hydrogen and CH-π bonding. Notably, these auxiliary mechanisms appear too weak to drive dendrimer-fluorescein interactions on their own. Overall, this work yields valuable insights into dendrimer-fluorescein association and provides a readily reproducible framework for studying host-guest interactions.

Quick Curing Mechanisms for All-Season Paints and Renders

Paints and coatings are required to quickly cure under a broad variety of environmental conditions and deliver solid long-term performance. Achieving a balance during all seasons between quick curing of a coating film, i.e., early rain resistance, while maintaining sufficient workability and open time for an optimized aesthetic appearance is a challenge for the architectural coatings industry. This article describes how the colloidal physics differs between the current standard mechanism to achieve early rain resistance by inhibited coagulants in winter paints and a new mechanism that provides all-season paints. A combination of advanced physical characterization methods, such as electrophoretic mobility, dynamic light scattering and confocal laser scanning microscopy, in combination with application tests, is used to provide a comprehensive mechanism of the early rain resistance achieved by such paints. In addition, it is shown that this new system can be transferred to wood coatings and organic renders. The key finding of this article is that all-season paints combining early rain resistance at cold and damp conditions with open time at high temperatures and dry conditions rely on fast paint film formation with high early integrity rather than coagulants triggered by base evaporation.

Functional Nano-Objects by Electrostatic Self-Assembly: Structure, Switching, and Photocatalysis

The design of functional nano-objects by electrostatic self-assembly in solution signifies an emerging field with great potential. More specifically, the targeted combination of electrostatic interaction with other effects and interactions, such as the positioning of charges on stiff building blocks, the use of additional amphiphilic, π-π stacking building blocks, or polyelectrolytes with certain architectures, have recently promulgated electrostatic self-assembly to a principle for versatile defined structure formation. A large variety of architectures from spheres over rods and hollow spheres to networks in the size range of a few tenths to a few hundred nanometers can be formed. This review discusses the state-of-the-art of different approaches of nano-object formation by electrostatic self-assembly against the backdrop of corresponding solid materials and assemblies formed by other non-covalent interactions. In this regard, particularly promising is the facile formation of triggerable structures, i.e. size and shape switching through light, as well as the use of electrostatically assembled nano-objects for improved photocatalysis and the possible solar energy conversion in the future. Lately, this new field is eliciting an increasing amount of understanding; insights and limitations thereof are addressed in this article. Special emphasis is placed on the interconnection of molecular building block structures and the resulting nanoscale architecture via the key of thermodynamics.

Adsorption of Organic Dyes on Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles. Part I: Mechanisms and Adsorption-Induced Nanoparticle Agglomeration

This series of two papers is devoted to the effect of organic dye (methylene blue, MB; or methyl orange, MO) adsorption on the surface of either bare or citrate-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) on their primary agglomeration (in the absence of an applied magnetic field) and secondary field-induced agglomeration. The present paper (Part I) is focused on physicochemical mechanisms of dye adsorption and adsorption-induced primary agglomeration of IONPs. Dye adsorption to oppositely charged IONPs is found to be mostly promoted by electrostatic interactions and is very sensitive to pH and ionic strength variations. The shape of adsorption isotherms is correctly reproduced by the Langmuir law. For the particular MB/citrated IONP pair, the maximum surface density of adsorbed MB seems to correspond to the packing density of an adsorbed monolayer rather than to the surface density of the available adsorption sites. MB is shown to form H-aggregates on the surface of citrate-coated IONPs. The effective electric charge on the IONP surface remains nearly constant in a broad range of surface coverages by MB due to the combined action of counterion exchange and counterion condensation. Primary agglomeration of IONPs (revealed by an exponential increase of hydrodynamic size with surface coverage by MB) probably comes from correlation attractions or π-stacking aromatic interactions between adsorbed MB molecules or H-aggregates. From the application perspective, the maximum adsorption capacity is 139 ± 4 mg/g for the MB/citrated IONP pair (pH = 4-11) and 257 ± 16 mg/g for the MO/bare IONP pair (pH ∼ 4). Citrated IONPs have shown a good potential for their reusability in water treatment, with the adsorption efficiency remaining about 99% after nine adsorption/desorption cycles.

Multiswitchable photoacid-hydroxyflavylium-polyelectrolyte nano-assemblies

Light- and pH-responsive nano-assemblies with switchable size and structure are formed by the association of a photoacid, anthocyanidin, and a linear polyelectrolyte in aqueous solution. Specifically, anionic disulfonated naphthol derivatives, neutral hydroxyflavylium, and cationic poly(allylamine) are used as building blocks for the ternary electrostatic self-assembly, forming well-defined supramolecular assemblies with tunable sizes of 50 to 500 nm. Due to the network of possible chemical reactions for the anthocyanidin and the excited-state dissociation of the photoacid upon irradiation, different ways to alter the ternary system through external triggering are accessible. The structure and trigger effects can be controlled through the component ratios of the samples. Dynamic and static light scattering (DLS, SLS) and ζ-potential measurements were applied to study the size and the stability of the particles, and information on the molecular structure was gained by UV-vis spectroscopy. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) provided information on the thermodynamics and interaction forces in the supramolecular assembly formation.

Preparation of a Low Reducing Effect Sulfonated Alkali Lignin and Application as Dye Dispersant

A novel grafting hydroxypropyl sulfonated and blocking condensed lignin (GSBAL) dye dispersant was prepared based on alkali lignin (AL) by sulfonation and etherification reactions. The significant increase in the sulfonic group content and the molecular weight endow GSBAL with excellent dispersity and stability at high temperatures. More importantly, the unfavorable property of the reducing effect of AL was largely reduced since over 80% of the phenolic hydroxyl groups were blocked. The functional azo groups in the dye could be mostly retained. The reducing rate of dye with GSBAL was decreased to 6.54% (25 °C), much lower than 18.62% for sulfomethylated alkali lignin (SAL) and 15.73% for sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS). The dispersity and exhaustion of the dye bath with GSBAL dispersant was significantly improved compared with that of a dye bath with SAL and NaLS.

Optical studies of the solution phase reduction and stabilization of indigo tetrasulfonate in polyelectrolyte complexes

Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy have been used to characterize the polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) formed when potassium indigo tetrasulfonate (ITS) interacts with poly diallydimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) through columbic attraction in the presence of the reducing agent sodium bisulfite, NaHSO₃. The PDADMAC facilitates both the reduction of the ITS and the stabilization of the reduced state of the ITS in an atmospheric oxygen environment. Dilutions of the dye solution show that the PEC is stable to dilutions of at least 1 to 1000. UV-vis studies indicate that the reduced ITS (ITS_red) forms what is likely a J-aggregate in the presence of PDADMAC with an absorbance band red shifted from the normal absorbance band of reduced ITS by roughly 130 nm, 390 nm to 520 nm. Excitation of the PEC solution at either 390 nm or 520 nm produces an emission spectrum of the aggregated complex with an emission maximum near 534 nm. Monomer emission at 480 nm of ITS_red represents only 3.0 ± 0.5% of the emission signal of the aggregated complex. Kinetic studies using fluorescence spectroscopy over a temperature range of 30 to 70 °C and dilutions of dye solutions ranging from 1:10 to 1:1000 yield data for the oxidation of ITS_red that is best fit by a first order rate constant. Kinetic data displays two distinctive regimes, a short time rate and a long time rate. These two distinct kinetic regimes are likely due to the reduced ITS interacting with an outer PEC environment and an inner PEC environment. First order rate constants could be used to estimate Δ^‡H and Δ^‡S of the oxidation reaction. Fluorescence data was used to calculate the partitioning of reduced ITS molecules between the outer and inner PEC environments. Partitioning from the inner to outer PEC environment was found to be entropically driven. Addition of NaCl to the diluted dye solutions could alter the kinetics of the oxidation but the significance of the effect depended on the initial dye solution preparation.

Filamentous supramolecular structures with polyelectrolyte and cadmium sulfide

In this study, a new type of filamentous structures consisting of a generation 9 poly(amido amine) dendrimer (G9) and CdS is reported. The linearity of the interconnected dendrimers is a result of the electrostatic repulsion between the multiply charged dendrimer macroions. Structures have been investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The internal structure of the CdS-fibers reveals information on the mechanism of the fiber formation. In contrast to previous systems with smaller generation poly(propylene imine)-dendrimers, Cd(2+) is here found to be responsible for the interconnection of G9. Furthermore, more complex supramolecular structures were built by associating the CdS-dendrimer hybrid fibers with different ionic dyes, displaying the versatility of this system for future nanotechnology applications such as optoelectronics or energy conversion.

Elucidating Electrostatic Self-Assembly: Molecular Parameters as Key to Thermodynamics and Nanoparticle Shape

The rational design of supramolecular nanoparticles by self-assembly is a crucial field of research due to the wide applications and the possibility of control through external triggers. Understanding the shape-determining factors is the key for tailoring nanoparticles with desired properties. Here, we show how the thermodynamics of the interaction control the shape of the nanoparticle. We highlight the connection between the molecular structure of building blocks, the interaction strength, and the nanoassembly shape. Nanoparticles are prepared by electrostatic self-assembly of cationic polyelectrolyte dendrimers of different generations and oppositely charged multivalent organic dyes relying on the combination of electrostatic and π-π interactions. Different building blocks have been used to vary interaction strength, geometric constraints, and charge ratio, providing insights into the assembly process. The nanoassembly structure has been characterized using atomic force microscopy, static light scattering, small angle neutron scattering, and UV-vis spectroscopy. We show that the isotropy/anisotropy of the nanoassemblies is related to the dye valency. Isothermal titration calorimetry has been used to investigate both dye-dye and dye-dendrimer interaction. The existence of a threshold value in entropy and enthalpy change separating isotropic and anisotropic shapes for both interactions has been demonstrated. The effects of the dye molecular structure on the interaction thermodynamics and therefore on the nanoparticle structure have been revealed using molecular modeling. The polar surface area of the dye molecule takes a key role in the dye self-interaction. This study opens the possibility for a priori shape determination knowing the building blocks structure and their interactions.

Boronic acid-modified poly(amidoamine) dendrimers as sugar-sensing materials in water

High-affinity carbohydrate receptors were developed by appending boronic acids to the surface of PAMAM dendrimers. These multivalent hosts were used to discriminate simple sugars in neat water using pattern recognition and optical spectroscopy techniques.

Redox-gated potential micellar carriers based on electrostatic assembly of soft coordination suprapolymers

We report in this paper the release and uptake of charged payloads in redox responsive electrostatic micellar systems composed of negatively charged soft iron coordination suprapolymers and positively charged block copolymers. This micellar system was reported in our previous work (Yan, Y.; Lan, Y. R.; de Keizer, A.; Drechsler, M.; Van As, H.; Stuart, M. A. C.; Besseling, N. A. M. Redox responsive molecular assemblies based on metallic coordination polymers. Soft Matter, 2010, 6, 3244-3248), where we proposed that the system can be used as a redox-triggered release and uptake system. In this paper, we successfully selected a negatively charged fluorescent dye, eosin B, as a model cargo to track the release and upload process. Upon being compacted in the mixed micelles of coordination polymers and diblock copolymers, the fluorescence of eosin B was effectively quenched. Once reduction was conducted, excess negative charges were introduced to the mixed micelles so that the negatively charged eosin B was expelled out which was accompanied by the recovery of the fluorescence. The free negatively charged eosin B was able to be taken up by the Fe(II) micelles again if oxidation of Fe(II) was carried out since excess positive charges were produced. Beside eosin B, other charged species, such as various charged macromolecules, were tested to be capable of uptake and release by this micellar system. We suppose this system can be potentially used as a redox-gated micellar carrier for uptake and release of charged cargos.

Molecular structure encodes nanoscale assemblies: understanding driving forces in electrostatic self-assembly

Supramolecular nanoparticles represent a key field in recent research as their synthesis through self-assembly is straightforward and they often can respond to external triggers. A fundamental understanding of structure-directing factors is highly desirable for a targeted structure design. This contribution demonstrates a quantitative relation between the size of supramolecular self-assembled nanoparticles and the free energy of association. Nanoparticles are prepared by electrostatic self-assembly of cationic polyelectrolyte dendrimers as model macroions and oppositely charged di- and trivalent organic dye molecules relying on the combination of electrostatic and π-π-interactions. A systematic set of sulfonate-group carrying azo-dyes was synthesized. Light scattering and ζ-potential measurements on the resulting nanoparticles yield hydrodynamic radii between 20 nm < R(H) < 50 nm and positive ζ-potential values indicating a positive particle charge. Studies on dye self-aggregation and dendrimer-dye association by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and UV-vis spectroscopy allow for the correlation of the thermodynamic parameters of dendrimer-dye association with the size of the particles, showing that at least a free energy gain of ΔG ≈ - 32 kJ mol(-1) is necessary to induce dendrimer interconnection. Structural features of the azo dyes causing these to favor or prevent nanoparticle formation have been identified. The dye-dye-interaction was found to be the key factor in particle size control. A simple model yields a quantitative relation between the free energy and the particle sizes, allowing for predicting the latter based on thermodynamic measurements. Hence, a set of different molecular "building bricks" can be defined where the choice of building block determines the resulting assembly size.

Polystyrene sulfonate-porphyrin assemblies: influence of polyelectrolyte and porphyrin structure

In this study, electrostatic self-assembly of different polystyrene sulfonates and a set of tetravalent cationic porphyrins is investigated. It is shown that association of linear polystyrene sulfonates of different molar masses yields finite size nanoscale assemblies that are stable in aqueous solution. Aggregates are compared to the ones of cylindrical brushes, revealing that both form assemblies in the 100 nm range with the charge ratio (molar ratio of porphyrin charges to polyelectrolyte charges) being determining, while the morphology of the resulting network-like assemblies is different for both polyelectrolyte architectures. For the smallest 8k polystyrene sulfonate, in addition, stoichiometric conditions differ. The influence of the molecular porphyrin structure was investigated by comparing meso-tetrakis(4-(trimethyl-ammonium)phenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) with its Cu(II) and Zn(II) loaded analogues and meso-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridinium)porphyrin (TMPyP), revealing differences in stacking tendency and geometry. Additionally, the TMPyP accumulates more in the inside of the brush than the other porphyrins, likely due to the different position of its charged groups. The supramolecular nanostructures formed were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, light scattering, atomic force microscopy, cryo transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering. Results may build a valuable basis for the use of polyelectrolyte-porphyrin assemblies in medicine, catalysis, or energy conversion.