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Nakayama M, Kato T. Biomineral-Inspired Colloidal Liquid Crystals: From Assembly of Hybrids Comprising Inorganic Nanocrystals and Organic Polymer Components to Their Functionalization. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:1796-1808. [PMID: 35699654 PMCID: PMC9260960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.2c00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bioinspired organic/inorganic synthetic composites have been studied as high-performance and functional materials. In nature, biominerals such as pearls, teeth, and bones are self-organized organic/inorganic composites. The inorganic components are composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and hydroxyapatite (HAp), while the organic components consist of peptides and polysaccharides. These composites are used as structural materials in hard biological tissues. Biominerals do not show significantly higher performances than synthetic composites such as glass-fiber- or carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics. However, biominerals consist of environmentally friendly and biocompatible components that are prepared under mild conditions. Moreover, they form elaborate nanostructures and self-organized hierarchical structures. Much can be learned about material design from these biomineral-based hierarchical and nanostructured composites to assist in the preparation of functional materials.Inspired by these biological hard tissues, we developed nanostructured thin films and bulk hybrid crystals through the self-organization of organic polymers and inorganic crystals of CaCO3 or HAp. In biomineralization, the combination of insoluble components and soluble acidic macromolecules controls the crystallization process. We have shown that poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or acidic peptides called polymer additives induce the formation of thin film crystals of CaCO3 or HAp by cooperation with insoluble organic templates such as chitin and synthetic polymers bearing the OH group. Moreover, we recently developed CaCO3- and HAp-based nanostructured particles with rod and disk shapes. These were obtained in aqueous media using a macromolecular acidic additive, PAA, without using insoluble polymer templates. At appropriate concentrations, the anisotropic particles self-assembled and formed colloidal liquid-crystalline (LC) phases.LC materials are generally composed of organic molecules. They show ordered and mobile states. The addition of stimuli-responsive properties to organic rod-like LC molecules led to the successful development of informational displays, which are now widely used. On the other hand, colloidal liquid crystals are colloidal self-assembled dispersions of anisotropic organic and inorganic nano- and micro-objects. For example, polysaccharide whiskers, clay nanosheets, gibbsite plate-shaped particles, and silica rod-shaped particles exhibit colloidal LC states.In this Account, we focused on the material design and hierarchical aspects of biomineral-based colloidal LC polymer/inorganic composites. We describe the design and preparation, nanostructures, and self-assembled behavior of these new bioinspired and biocompatible self-organized materials. The characterization results for these self-assembled nanostructured colloidal liquid crystals found using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and neutron scattering and rheological measurements are also reported. The functions of these biomineral-inspired liquid crystals are presented. Because these biomineral-based LC colloidal liquid crystals can be prepared under mild and aqueous conditions and they consist of environmentally friendly and biocompatible components, new functions are expected for these materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanari Nakayama
- Department
of Chemistry & Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department
of Chemistry & Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Research
Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu
University, Wakasato, Nagano 380-8553, Japan
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2
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Wang M, Yang W. Pt nanoparticles Confined in TiO2 Nanotubes With Enhanced Catalytic Performance for Phenol Hydrogenation by Atomic Layer Deposition. Catal Letters 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10562-021-03702-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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3
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Abstract
We introduce and shortly summarize a variety of more recent aspects of lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs), which have drawn the attention of the liquid crystal and soft matter community and have recently led to an increasing number of groups studying this fascinating class of materials, alongside their normal activities in thermotopic LCs. The diversity of topics ranges from amphiphilic to inorganic liquid crystals, clays and biological liquid crystals, such as viruses, cellulose or DNA, to strongly anisotropic materials such as nanotubes, nanowires or graphene oxide dispersed in isotropic solvents. We conclude our admittedly somewhat subjective overview with materials exhibiting some fascinating properties, such as chromonics, ferroelectric lyotropics and active liquid crystals and living lyotropics, before we point out some possible and emerging applications of a class of materials that has long been standing in the shadow of the well-known applications of thermotropic liquid crystals, namely displays and electro-optic devices.
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4
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Dierking I, Yoshida S, Kelly T, Pitcher W. Liquid crystal-ferrofluid emulsions. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:6021-6031. [PMID: 32555906 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00880j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite the development of the brilliant flat-panel TVs and computer screens that we all use on a daily basis, liquid crystals are far from being exhausted as a topic of research. Novel effects, new, modern, self-organized materials, and a range of applications are being developed, which are on the borderline between nanotechnology and soft condensed matter, and which use liquid crystals as a vehicle to study fundamental physical questions, all the way to mimicking nature and life. In this perspective article we will introduce an illustrative example, which will draw on a range of non-display aspects in liquid crystal research which have increasingly gained interest over the past years, namely self-organization of liquid crystals, colloidal ordering of magnetic nanoparticles, topological defects, and biological structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Dierking
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Susumu Yoshida
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Thomas Kelly
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
| | - William Pitcher
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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Padmajan Sasikala S, Lim J, Kim IH, Jung HJ, Yun T, Han TH, Kim SO. Graphene oxide liquid crystals: a frontier 2D soft material for graphene-based functional materials. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:6013-6045. [PMID: 30009312 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00299a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Graphene, despite being the best known strong and electrical/thermal conductive material, has found limited success in practical applications, mostly due to difficulties in the formation of desired large-scale highly organized structures. Our discovery of a liquid crystalline phase formation in graphene oxide dispersion has enabled a broad spectrum of highly aligned graphene-based structures, including films, fibers, membranes, and mesoscale structures. In this review, the current understanding of the structure-property relationship of graphene oxide liquid crystals (GOLCs) is overviewed. Various synthetic methods and parameters that can be optimized for GOLC phase formation are highlighted. Along with the results from different characterization methods for the identification of the GOLC phases, the typical characteristics of different types of GOLC phases introduced so far, including nematic, lamellar and chiral phases, are carefully discussed. Finally, various interesting applications of GOLCs are outlined together with the future prospects for their further developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchithra Padmajan Sasikala
- National Creative Research Initiative Centre for Multi-Dimensional Directed Nanoscale Assembly, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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Dierking I. Nanomaterials in Liquid Crystals. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 8:E453. [PMID: 29933570 PMCID: PMC6071007 DOI: 10.3390/nano8070453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Dierking
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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7
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Zhang S, Pelligra CI, Feng X, Osuji CO. Directed Assembly of Hybrid Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1705794. [PMID: 29520839 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201705794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid nanomaterials are molecular or colloidal-level combinations of organic and inorganic materials, or otherwise strongly dissimilar materials. They are often, though not exclusively, anisotropic in shape. A canonical example is an inorganic nanorod or nanosheet sheathed in, or decorated by, a polymeric or other organic material, where both the inorganic and organic components are important for the properties of the system. Hybrid nanomaterials and nanocomposites have generated strong interest for a broad range of applications due to their functional properties. Generating macroscopic assemblies of hybrid nanomaterials and nanomaterials in nanocomposites with controlled orientation and placement by directed assembly is important for realizing such applications. Here, a survey of critical issues and themes in directed assembly of hybrid nanomaterials and nanocomposites is provided, highlighting recent efforts in this field with particular emphasis on scalable methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanju Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA
| | - Candice I Pelligra
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Xunda Feng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Chinedum O Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
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Bilger D, Figueroa JA, Redeker ND, Sarkar A, Stefik M, Zhang S. Hydrogen-Bonding-Directed Ordered Assembly of Carboxylated Poly(3-Alkylthiophene)s. ACS OMEGA 2017; 2:8526-8535. [PMID: 31457389 PMCID: PMC6645037 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b01361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen-bonding-induced ordered assembly of poly(3-alkylthiophene)s derivatives bearing carboxylic acid groups has been investigated from diluted and concentrated solutions to solid films using ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, polarized optical microscopy, and four-point probe conductivity measurements. In dilute solutions, the polymer undergoes a spontaneous structural transition from disordered coil-like to ordered rodlike conformations, which is evidenced by time-dependent chromism. Many factors such as alkyl-chain length, types of solvents, and temperature are studied to understand the assembly behavior. Transition kinetics of the assembly process reveals a universal second-order rate law, indicating an intermolecular origin due to hydrogen bonding. When more concentrated, hydrogen bonding drives nematic liquid-crystalline gelation above a critical concentration and the gels are thermally reversible. Under an appropriate balance of mechanical and thermal stresses, uniform liquid-crystalline monodomains are obtained through the application of a mechanical shear force. The dried films made from the sheared solutions display both optical and electrical anisotropies, with a more than 200% increase in charge transport parallel to the direction of shear as opposed to that in the perpendicular one.
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Affiliation(s)
- David
W. Bilger
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Jose A. Figueroa
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Neil D. Redeker
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Amrita Sarkar
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Morgan Stefik
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Shanju Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
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9
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Dierking I, Al-Zangana S. Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Phases from Anisotropic Nanomaterials. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 7:E305. [PMID: 28974025 PMCID: PMC5666470 DOI: 10.3390/nano7100305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals are an integral part of a mature display technology, also establishing themselves in other applications, such as spatial light modulators, telecommunication technology, photonics, or sensors, just to name a few of the non-display applications. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend to add various nanomaterials to liquid crystals, which is motivated by several aspects of materials development. (i) addition of nanomaterials can change and thus tune the properties of the liquid crystal; (ii) novel functionalities can be added to the liquid crystal; and (iii) the self-organization of the liquid crystalline state can be exploited to template ordered structures or to transfer order onto dispersed nanomaterials. Much of the research effort has been concentrated on thermotropic systems, which change order as a function of temperature. Here we review the other side of the medal, the formation and properties of ordered, anisotropic fluid phases, liquid crystals, by addition of shape-anisotropic nanomaterials to isotropic liquids. Several classes of materials will be discussed, inorganic and mineral liquid crystals, viruses, nanotubes and nanorods, as well as graphene oxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Dierking
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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10
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Cox R, Olson GT, Pfau M, Eshaghi N, Barcus K, Ramirez D, Fernando R, Zhang S. Solution-Based Large-Area Assembly of Coaxial Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Nanowires for Fast Ambipolar Charge Transport. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:16397-16403. [PMID: 28467710 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b01413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Donor-acceptor interfacial microstructures and fast ambipolar charge transport are pivotal in determining the device performance of inorganic-organic hybrid photovoltaics. Here, we report on a series of one-dimensional coaxial p-n junction core-shell nanohybrids formed by direct side-on attachment of carboxylated poly(3-alkylthiophene)s onto single-crystalline ZnO nanowires. The diameter of pristine ZnO nanowires is ∼30 nm, and the conjugated polymer forms a 2-10 nm shell around each nanowire. Spectroscopic studies on the resulting core-shell hybrid nanowires show an elongated conjugation length of the poly(3-alkylthiophene) backbone and fast electron transfer via ordered donor-acceptor interfaces. Hybrid nanowires in suspensions spontaneously undergo phase transitions from isotropic to nematic liquid crystalline phases via a biphasic region with increasing concentration. The unique liquid crystalline elasticity of nanohybrids results in large-area monodomain structures of aligned hybrid nanowires under simple shear flow, which are maintained in the dried film used for device fabrication. These methodologies provide a mechanism for controlling donor-acceptor interfaces and exploiting lyotropic liquid crystallinity for solution-based processing of large-area alignment of photovoltaic elements with anisotropic charge transport for hybrid photovoltaic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Cox
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Grant T Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Michaela Pfau
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Nima Eshaghi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Kyle Barcus
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Dania Ramirez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Raymond Fernando
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Shanju Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
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11
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Bilger D, Sarkar A, Danesh C, Gopinadhan M, Braggin G, Figueroa J, Pham TV, Chun D, Rao Y, Osuji CO, Stefik M, Zhang S. Multi-Scale Assembly of Polythiophene-Surfactant Supramolecular Complexes for Charge Transport Anisotropy. Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Bilger
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Amrita Sarkar
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Cameron Danesh
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Manesh Gopinadhan
- Department
of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Gregory Braggin
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Jose Figueroa
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Thanh Vy Pham
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Danielle Chun
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Yashas Rao
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Chinedum O. Osuji
- Department
of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Morgan Stefik
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Shanju Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
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12
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Abdou JP, Braggin GA, Luo Y, Stevenson AR, Chun D, Zhang S. Graphene-Induced Oriented Interfacial Microstructures in Single Fiber Polymer Composites. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:13620-13626. [PMID: 26058086 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b03269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Interfacial interactions between the polymer and graphene are pivotal in determining the reinforcement efficiency in the graphene-enhanced polymer nanocomposites. Here, we report on the dynamic process of graphene-induced oriented interfacial crystals of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) in the single fiber polymer composites by means of polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The graphene fibers are obtained by chemical reduction of graphene oxide fibers, and the latter is produced from the liquid crystalline dispersion of graphene oxide via a wet coagulation route. The lamellar crystals of iPP grow perpendicular to the fiber axis, forming an oriented transcrystalline (TC) interphase surrounding the graphene fiber. Various factors including the diameter of graphene fibers, crystallization temperature, and time are investigated. The dynamic process of polymer transcrystallization surrounding the graphene fiber is studied in the temperature range 124-132 °C. The Lauritzen-Hoffman theory of heterogeneous nucleation is applied to analyze the transcrystallization process, and the fold surface free energy is determined. Study into microstructures demonstrates a cross-hatched lamellar morphology of the TC interphase and the strong interfacial adhesion between the iPP and graphene. Under appropriate conditions, the β-form transcrystals occur whereas the α-form transcrystals are predominant surrounding the graphene fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Abdou
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Gregory A Braggin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Yanqi Luo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Alexandra R Stevenson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Danielle Chun
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
| | - Shanju Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
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13
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Luo Y, Braggin GA, Olson GT, Stevenson AR, Ruan WL, Zhang S. Nematic order drives macroscopic patterns of graphene oxide in drying drops. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:14631-14637. [PMID: 25412408 DOI: 10.1021/la503670e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We report on a series of experiments on large-area ordered patterns of graphene oxide on solid substrates deposited from aqueous dispersions by directed drop evaporation. The aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide exhibits phase transitions from isotropic to liquid crystalline nematic phases via a biphasic region with increasing concentration. In the single nematic phase, schlieren textures accompanied by oriented bands are frequent. Drying of drops in each phase results in deposition covering the whole drop base. The dynamic process of drop drying is analyzed based on the weight loss, radius change, and texture change over time. It is found that the radial bands develop in the nematic drops in the vicinity of the receding of the contact line and subsequently transform into birefringent stripes after drying. Study into the structure and morphology of the stripes reveals anisotropic wrinkling of graphene oxide sheets. The nature of stripe orientation is strongly dependent on the local nematic order at the dewetting water front. Various macroscopic patterns with different stripe orientations including radial spokes, spider webs, and parallel stripes have been generated by tuning the nematic order of drops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Luo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo, California 93407, United States
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14
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Pelligra CI, Huang S, Singer JP, Mayo AT, Mu RR, Osuji CO. Scalable high-fidelity growth of semiconductor nanorod arrays with controlled geometry for photovoltaic devices using block copolymers. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2014; 10:4304-4309. [PMID: 25059670 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201400956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Controlled density semiconducting oxide arrays are highly desirable for matching nanometer length scales specific to emerging applications. This work demonstrates a facile one-step method for templating hydrothermal growth which provides arrays with high-fidelity tuning of nanorod spacing and diameter. This solution-based method leverages the selective swelling of block copolymer micelle templates, which can be rationally designed by tuning molecular weight and volume fraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice I Pelligra
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, 9 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
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15
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Wagner TW, Luo Y, Redeker ND, Immoos CE, Zhang S. Effect of surface-modified zinc oxide nanowires on solution crystallization kinetics of poly(3-hexylthiophene). POLYMER 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2014.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Redeker ND, Danesh CD, Ding Y, Zhang S. Anisotropic core–shell nanocomposites by direct covalent attachment of a side-functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene) onto ZnO nanowires. POLYMER 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2013.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Pelligra CI, Majewski PW, Osuji CO. Large area vertical alignment of ZnO nanowires in semiconducting polymer thin films directed by magnetic fields. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:10511-7. [PMID: 24057068 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr03119e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the use of magnetic fields for the directed assembly of ZnO nanowires in semiconducting polymer films suitable for ordered bulk heterojunction photovoltaics. Using rotational field annealing, Co-doped ZnO nanowires with negative paramagnetic anisotropy were successfully aligned out-of-plane with respect to the substrate and polymer film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice I Pelligra
- Yale University, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 9 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT 0651.
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18
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Kim J, Peretti J, Lahlil K, Boilot JP, Gacoin T. Optically anisotropic thin films by shear-oriented assembly of colloidal nanorods. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2013; 25:3295-3300. [PMID: 23666846 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201300594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Device-scale thin films of highly oriented (in-plane) colloidal nanorods are made available by using a simple coating process involving thixotropic rod gel suspensions. Application of this process to LaPO₄ nanorods leads to films exhibiting outstanding anisotropic optical properties, such as a remarkably large birefringence (Δn = 0.13) associated with high transparency, and sharply polarized fluorescence spectra when doped with europium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongwook Kim
- Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS-Ecole Polytechnique, 91128, Palaiseau, France
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19
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Zhang S, Pelligra CI, Keskar G, Jiang J, Majewski PW, Taylor AD, Ismail-Beigi S, Pfefferle LD, Osuji CO. Directed self-assembly of hybrid oxide/polymer core/shell nanowires with transport optimized morphology for photovoltaics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2012; 24:82-7. [PMID: 22113991 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201103708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shanju Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, 9 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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20
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Zhang S, Pelligra CI, Keskar G, Majewski PW, Ren F, Pfefferle LD, Osuji CO. Liquid crystalline order and magnetocrystalline anisotropy in magnetically doped semiconducting ZnO nanowires. ACS NANO 2011; 5:8357-64. [PMID: 21905709 DOI: 10.1021/nn203070d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Controlled alignment of nanomaterials over large length scales (>1 cm) presents a challenge in the utilization of low-cost solution processing techniques in emerging nanotechnologies. Here, we report on the lyotropic liquid crystalline behavior of transition-metal-doped zinc oxide nanowires and their facile alignment over large length scales under external fields. High aspect ratio Co- and Mn-doped ZnO nanowires were prepared by solvothermal synthesis with uniform incorporation of dopant ions into the ZnO wurtzite crystal lattice. The resulting nanowires exhibited characteristic paramagnetic behavior. Suspensions of surface-functionalized doped nanowires spontaneously formed stable homogeneous nematic liquid crystalline phases in organic solvent above a critical concentration. Large-area uniaxially aligned thin films of doped nanowires were obtained from the lyotropic phase by applying mechanical shear and, in the case of Co-doped nanowires, magnetic fields. Application of shear produced thin films in which the nanowire long axes were aligned parallel to the flow direction. Conversely, the nanowires were found to orient perpendicular to the direction of the applied magnetic fields. This indicates that the doped ZnO possesses magnetocrystalline anisotropy sufficient in magnitude to overcome the parallel alignment which would be predicted based solely on the anisotropic demagnetizing field associated with the high aspect ratio of the nanowires. We use a combination of magnetic property measurements and basic magnetostatics to provide a lower-bound estimate for the magnetocrystalline anisotropy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanju Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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