Honeycomb-patterned film segregated with phenylboronic acid for glucose sensing

Light-Induced Self-Assembled Polydiacetylene/Carbon Dot Functional "Honeycomb"

The design of functional supramolecular assemblies from individual molecular building blocks is a fundamental challenge in chemistry and material science. We report on the fabrication of "honeycomb" films by light-induced coassembly of diacetylene derivatives and carbon dots. Specifically, modulating noncovalent interactions between the carbon dots, macrocyclic diacetylene, and anthraquinone diacetylene facilitates formation of thin films exhibiting a long-range, uniform pore structure. We show that light irradiation at distinct wavelengths plays a key role in the assembly process and generation of unique macro-porous morphology, by both initiating interactions between the carbon dots and the anthraquinone moieties and giving rise to the topotactic polymerization of the polydiacetylene network. We further demonstrate utilization of the macro-porous film as a photocatalytic platform for water pollutant degradation and as potential supercapacitor electrodes, both applications taking advantage of the high surface area, hydrophobicity, and pore structure of the film.

Microneedles coated with composites of phenylboronic acid-containing polymer and carbon nanotubes for glucose measurements in interstitial fluids

A microneedle (MN) sensor coated with a sensing composite material was proposed for measuring glucose concentrations in interstitial fluid (ISF). The sensing composite material was prepared by blending a polymer containing glucose-responsive phenylboronic acid (PBA) moieties (i.e., polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamidophenylboronic acid)) with conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The polymer exhibited reversible swelling behavior in response to glucose concentrations, which influenced the distribution of the embedded CNTs, resulting in sensitive variations in electrical percolation, even when coated onto a confined surface of the MN in the sensor. We varied the ratio of PBA moieties and the loading amount of CNTs in the sensing composite material of the MN sensor and tested them in vitro using an ISF-mimicking gel with physiological glucose concentrations to determine the optimal sensitivity conditions. When tested in animal models with varying blood glucose concentrations, the MN sensor coated with the selected sensing material exhibited a strong correlation between the measured electrical currents and blood glucose concentrations, showing accuracy comparable to that of a glucometer in clinical use.

Biopolymer Honeycomb Microstructures: A Review

In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the formation of honeycomb microstructures and their applications, which include tissue engineering, antibacterial materials, replication processes or sensors. The history of the honeycomb pattern, the first experiments, which mostly involved the breath figure procedure and the improved phase separation, the most recent approach to honeycomb pattern formation, are described in detail. Subsequent surface modifications of the pattern, which involve physical and chemical modifications and further enhancement of the surface properties, are also introduced. Different aspects influencing the polymer formation, such as the substrate influence, a particular polymer or solvent, which may significantly contribute to pattern formation, and thus influence the target structural properties, are also discussed.

Modified Breath Figure Methods for the Pore-Selective Functionalization of Honeycomb-Patterned Porous Polymer Films

Recent developments in the field of the breath figure (BF) method have led to renewed interest from researchers in the pore-selective functionalization of honeycomb-patterned (HCP) films. The pore-selective functionalization of the HCP film gives unique properties to the film which can be used for specific applications such as protein recognition, catalysis, selective cell culturing, and drug delivery. There are several comprehensive reviews available for the pore-selective functionalization by the self-assembly process. However, considerable progress in preparation technologies and incorporation of new materials inside the pore surface for exact applications have emerged, thus warranting a review. In this review, we have focused on the pore-selective functionalization of the HCP films by the modified BF method, in which the self-assembly process is accompanied by an interfacial reaction. We review the importance of pore-selective functionalization, its applications, present limitations, and future perspectives.

The Effect of Surface Hydroxyls on the Humidity-Sensitive Properties of LiCl-Doped ZnSn(OH)6 Sphere-Based Sensors

Pure zinc hydroxystannate (ZnSn(OH)₆) and LiCl-doped ZnSn(OH)₆ have been synthesized through a facile wet chemical method. The LiCl-doped samples keep their original spherical morphology as pure ZnSn(OH)_6, with some LiCl particles stuck to its surface, providing more active sites for the adsorption and desorption of water molecules. The influence of LiCl doping on the humidity-sensing properties was explored by varying the dopant concentration. The 16 wt% LiCl/ZnSn(OH)₆ showed a better humidity-sensing performance than that of the pure ZnSn(OH)₆ and other doped samples, including a high resistive sensitivity, a relatively small hysteresis, and a fast response speed. Through the FTIR analysis, the number of hydroxyl groups on the surface structure after aging has been found to decline markedly. These hydroxyl groups provide a platform for the adsorption of water molecules on the surface and promote the dissociation of water molecules. The detriment of aging to sensor performance should not be underrated. The complex impedance spectrum explains the mechanism of the sensor. These results demonstrate that ZnSn(OH)₆ has potential application in fabricating humidity sensors, and the sensing performance of the sensor is enhanced by the dopant LiCl.

Reusable OIRD Microarray Chips Based on a Bienzyme-Immobilized Polyaniline Nanowire Forest for Multiplexed Detection of Biological Small Molecules

Quantitative detection of multiple biological small molecules is critical for health evaluation and disease diagnosis. In this study, a microarray chip featuring a bienzyme-immobilized polyaniline nanowire forest on fluorine-doped tin oxide (bienzyme-PANI/FTO) is developed for this purpose. On such a chip, the target molecules are oxidized under the catalysis of their attached oxidases to produce hydrogen peroxide, which further induces the partial oxidation of local PANI nanowires in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme. The redox state change of PANI nanowires is monitored by the oblique incident reflectivity difference (OIRD) technique in a real-time and wireless manner, thus allowing for quantitative analysis of the target molecules. As typical model targets, hydrogen peroxide, glucose, lactic acid, and cholesterol are successfully detected with low detection limits, excellent specificities, and broad detection ranges, all of which fully meet the requirements for clinical analysis of human serum samples. Simultaneous detection of multiple targets on an individual chip is further demonstrated using the OIRD scanning mode. Meanwhile, by simple electrochemical reduction of the PANI nanowires, the chip is reusable for more than eight detection cycles without evident decay in its performance. The detection principle of this chip is also universal to other small molecules, and thus, it shows great promise as a valuable device to analyze biological small molecules.

Well-Orientation Strategy for Direct Immobilization of Antibodies: Development of the Immunosensor Using the Boronic Acid-Modified Magnetic Graphene Nanoribbons for Ultrasensitive Detection of Lymphoma Cancer Cells

This work presents an effective strategy for the well-oriented immobilization of antibodies in which boronic acid is directly attached to the surface and with no need of the long and flexible spacer. A magnetic graphene nanoribbon-boronic-acid-based immunosensor was developed and tested for the impedimetric detection of lymphoma cancer cells, a blood cancer biomarker. Magnetic graphene nanoribbons (MGNRs) were modified with boronic acid (BA) to create a supporting matrix that is utilized by immobilizing anti-CD20 antibodies with good orientation. The prepared biosensing layer (MGNR/BA/Ab) with well-oriented antibodies was premixed into whole blood samples to interact with lymphoma cancer cell receptors. In the presence of target cell receptors, an immunocomplex was formed between anti-CD20 antibodies and lymphoma cancer cell receptors. Then, the biosensing layer was magnetically collected on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) and placed in a homemade electrochemical cell configuration to measure impedimetric signals. The fabrication steps of the immunosensor were characterized by various techniques, such as resonance light scattering, fluorescence, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The assay is highly sensitive: the calculated limit of detection of lymphoma cancer cells was as low as 38 cells/mL, and the detection was linear from 100 to 1 000 000 cells/mL. The specificity of the immunosensor is also very high, and there is no interference effect with several potential interferents, such as the breast cancer (MCF-7), human embryonic kidney (HEK293), and leukemia (HL-60 and KCL-22) cell lines. The performance of the immunosensor for lymphoma cancer cells in clinical blood samples is consistent with that of commercial flow cytometric assays.

Toward Advanced Functional Systems: Honeycomb-Like Polymeric Surfaces Incorporating Polyoxovanadates with Surface-Appended Copper-Cyclam Complexes

In this work the immobilization of hybrid polyoxometalates (POMs) onto functional polymeric surfaces is exposed and discussed. Thus, various hybrid polymer‒inorganic films were prepared by anchoring selected hybrid POMs onto tailored polymeric surfaces that consisted of breath figures (BFs) made of polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid)/polystyrene (PS-b-PAA/PS) blends. Functionalization of the BF films was performed by selective arrangement of acrylic acid groups of the amphiphilic block copolymer on the surface pores because of their affinition for the water condensed during breath figure formation. These carboxylic acid functional groups contained within the PAA blocks were then employed to anchor [Cu(cyclam)][{Cu(cyclam)}₂(V₁₀O₂₈)]·10H2O (1-CuV10) and [{Cu(cyclam)}(VO₃)₂]·5H₂O (1-CuV1), hybrid POMs by immersing the films into aqueous solutions of the in situ formed hybrid clusters, resulting in the hybrid films BF1 and BF2, respectively. Superficial analysis of these hybrid polymeric films was carried out by the sophisticated ion beam-based technique time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) that was revealed to be an excellent method for the superficial compositional mapping of patterned surfaces.

Rapid Detection of Salmonella enterica via Directional Emission from Carbohydrate-Functionalized Dynamic Double Emulsions

Reliable early-stage detection of foodborne pathogens is a global public health challenge that requires new and improved sensing strategies. Here, we demonstrate that dynamically reconfigurable fluorescent double emulsions can function as highly responsive optical sensors for the rapid detection of carbohydrates fructose, glucose, mannose, and mannan, which are involved in many biological and pathogenic phenomena. The proposed detection strategy relies on reversible reactions between boronic acid surfactants and carbohydrates at the hydrocarbon/water interface leading to a dynamic reconfiguration of the droplet morphology, which alters the angular distribution of the droplet's fluorescent light emission. We exploit this unique chemical-morphological-optical coupling to detect Salmonella enterica, a type of bacteria with a well-known binding affinity for mannose. We further demonstrate an oriented immobilization of antibodies at the droplet interface to permit higher selectivity. Our demonstrations yield a new, inexpensive, robust, and generalizable sensing strategy that can help to facilitate the early detection of foodborne pathogens.

Controlled ATRP Synthesis of Novel Linear-Dendritic Block Copolymers and Their Directed Self-Assembly in Breath Figure Arrays

Herein, we report the formation and characterization of novel amphiphilic linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) composed of hydrophilic dendritic poly(ether-ester), PEE, blocks and hydrophobic linear poly(styrene), PSt. The LDBCs are synthesized via controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiated by a PEE macroinitiator. The copolymers formed have narrow molecular mass distributions and are designated as LGn-PSt Mn, in which LG represents the PEE fragment, n denotes the generation of the dendron (n = 1⁻3), and Mn refers to the average molecular mass of the LDBC (Mn = 3.5⁻68 kDa). The obtained LDBCs are utilized to fabricate honeycomb films by a static "breath figure" (BF) technique. The copolymer composition strongly affects the film morphology. LDBCs bearing acetonide dendron end groups produce honeycomb films when the PEE fraction is lower than 20%. Pore uniformity increases as the PEE content decreases. For LDBCs with hydroxyl end groups, only the first generation LDBCs yield BF films, but with a significantly smaller pore size (0.23 μm vs. 1⁻2 μm, respectively). Although higher generation LDBCs with free hydroxyl end groups fail to generate honeycomb films by themselves, the use of a cosolvent or addition of homo PSt leads to BF films with a controllable pore size (3.7⁻0.42 μm), depending on the LDBC content. Palladium complexes within the two triazole groups in each of the dendron's branching moieties can also fine-tune the morphology of the BF films.

The Effect of the Isomeric Chlorine Substitutions on the Honeycomb-Patterned Films of Poly(x-chlorostyrene)s/Polystyrene Blends and Copolymers via Static Breath Figure Technique

Polymeric thin films patterned with honeycomb structures were prepared from poly(x-chlorostyrene) and statistical poly(x-chlorostyrene-co-styrene) copolymers by static breath figure method. Each polymeric sample was synthesized by free radical polymerization and its solution in tetrahydrofuran cast on glass wafers under 90% relative humidity (RH). The effect of the chorine substitution in the topography and conformational entropy was evaluated. The entropy of each sample was calculated by using Voronoi tessellation. The obtained results revealed that these materials could be a suitable toolbox to develop a honeycomb patterns with a wide range of pore sizes for a potential use in contact guidance induced culture.

Fabrication of glucose-responsive and biodegradable copolymer membrane for controlled release of insulin at physiological pH

A PCL-b-PPBDEMA copolymer membrane can be used as an intelligent carrier to achieve the controlled release of insulin by adjusting the glucose concentration.

From helical supramolecular arrays to gel-forming networks: lattice restructuring and aggregation control in peptide-based sulfamides to integrate new functional attributes

While supramolecular organisation is central to both crystallization and gelation, the latter is more complex considering its dynamic nature and multifactorial dependence. This makes the rational design of gelators an extremely difficult task. In this report, the assembly preference of a group of peptide-based sulfamides was modulated by making them part of an acid-amine two-component system to drive the tendency from crystallization to gelation. Here, the peptide core directed the assembly while the long-chain amines, introduced through salt-bridges, promoted layering and anisotropic development of primary aggregates. This proved to be very successful, leading to gelation of a number of solvents. Apart from this, it was possible to fine-tune their aggregation using an amphiphilic polymer like F-127 as an additive to get honey-comb-like 3D molecular architectures. These gels also proved to be excellent matrices for entrapping silver nanoparticles with superior emissive properties.

Designing 3D Biological Surfaces via the Breath-Figure Method

The fabrication of biointerfaces that mimic cellular physiological environments is critical to understanding cell behaviors in vitro and for the design of tissue engineering. Breath figure is a self-assemble method that uses water droplets condensed from moisture as template and ends up with a highly ordered hexagonal pore array; this approach is used to fabricate various biological substrates. This progress report provides an overview of strategies to achieve topographical modifications and chemical-patterned arrays, such as modulation of the pore size, shape and selective decoration of the honeycomb holes. Using recent results in the biological fields, potential future applications and developments of honeycomb structures are commented upon.

Honeycomb-patterned porous films fabricated via self-organization of Tb complex-loaded amphiphilic copolymers

Amphiphilic copolymers, poly(styrene)-block-Tb complex (PS-b-Tb complex), were synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The honeycomb structured porous films were fabricated via dropping the PS-b-Tb complex copolymer solutions on glass substrates by the breath figures method (BFM). The structure and composition of the amphiphilic copolymer PS-b-Tb complex were confirmed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR). The surface morphology and elemental mapping of the highly ordered porous films were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The results indicated that the solvent type and copolymer concentration can affect the surface morphology of the porous films. The average diameter of the pores in the porous films decreased with the polymer concentration and the molecular weight of the copolymers increased. The FESEM-EDX analysis further verified that the hydrophilic groups (Tb complex groups) were mainly distributed at the pore wall, instead of at the outer surface layer of the films, which was consistent with the LSCM results.

Amphiphilic copolymers PS-b-Tb complex were synthesized by RAFT polymerization, the honeycomb structured porous films were fabricated via BFM, the hydrophilic groups (Tb complex groups) were mainly distributed at the pore wall.

U-Shaped and Surface Functionalized Polymer Optical Fiber Probe for Glucose Detection

In this work we show an optical fiber evanescent wave absorption probe for glucose detection in different physiological media. High selectivity is achieved by functionalizing the surface of an only-core poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer optical fiber with phenilboronic groups, and enhanced sensitivity by using a U-shaped geometry. Employing a supercontinuum light source and a high-resolution spectrometer, absorption measurements are performed in the broadband visible light spectrum. Experimental results suggest the feasibility of such a fiber probe as a low-cost and selective glucose detector.

A Self-Assembled Ratiometric Polymeric Nanoprobe for Highly Selective Fluorescence Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide

In this study, a dual-emission fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) polymeric nanoprobe by single-wavelength excitation was developed for sensitive and selective hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) detection. Polymeric nanoprobe was prepared by simple self-assembly of functional lipopolymers, which were 4-carboxy-3-fluorophenylboronic acid (FPBA)-modified DSPE-PEG (DSPE-PEG-FPBA) and 7-hydroxycoumarin (HC)-conjugated DSPE-PEG (DSPE-PEG-HC). Subsequent binding of alizarin red S (ARS) to FPBA endowed the nanoprobe with a new fluorescence emission peak at around 600 nm. Because of the perfect match of the fluorescence emission spectra of HC with the absorbance spectra of ARS-FPBA, FRET was achieved between them. The sensing strategy for H₂O₂ was based on H₂O₂-induced deboronation reaction and boronic acid-mediated ARS fluorescence. Interaction between phenylboronic acid and ARS was revisited herein and it was found that electron-donating or -withdrawing group on phenylboronic acid (PBA) has significant influence on the fluorescence property of ARS, which enabled sensitive and selective H₂O₂ sensing. The nanoprobe displayed two well-separated emission bands (150 nm), providing high specificity and sensitivity for ratiometric detection of H₂O₂. Further application was exploited for the determination of glucose and the results demonstrated that the proposed strategy showed ratiometric response capability for glucose detection. The current method does not involve complicated organic synthesis and opens a new avenue for the construction of multifunctional polymeric fluorescent nanoprobe.

Honeycomb Films with Core-Shell Dispersed Phases Prepared by the Combination of Breath Figures and Phase Separation Process of Ternary Blends

Herein, we propose a strategy to fabricate core-shell microstructures ordered in hexagonal arrays by combining the breath figures approach and phase separation of immiscible ternary blends. This simple strategy to fabricate these structures involves only the solvent casting of a ternary polymer blend under moist atmosphere, which provides a facile and low-cost fabrication method to obtain the porous structures with a core-shell morphology. For this purpose, blends consisting of polystyrene (PS) as a major component and PS₄₀-b-P(PEGMA300)₄₈ amphiphilic copolymer and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as minor components were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran and cast onto glass wafers under humid conditions, 70% of relative humidity. The resulting porous morphologies were characterized by optical and confocal Raman microscopy. In particular, confocal Raman results demonstrated the formation of core-shell morphologies into the ordered pores, in which the PS forms the continuous matrix, whereas the other two phases are located into the cavities (PDMS is the core while the amphiphilic copolymer is the shell). Besides, by controlling the weight ratio of the polymer blends, the structural parameters of the porous structure such as pore diameter and the size of the core can be effectively tuned.

Assembly of Ultrathin Gold Nanowires into Honeycomb Macroporous Pattern Films with High Transparency and Conductivity

Because of its promising properties, honeycomb macroporous pattern (HMP) film has attracted increasing attention. It has been realized in many artificial nanomaterials, but the formation of these HMPs was attributed to templates or polymer/supermolecule/surfactant assistant assembly. Pure metal HMP film has been difficult to produce using a convenient colloidal template-free method. In this report, a unique template-free approach for preparation of Au HMP film with high transparency and conductivity is presented. Ultrathin Au nanowires, considered a linear polymer analogue, are directly assembled into HMP film on various substrates using a traditional static breath figure method. Subsequent chemical cross-linking and oxygen plasma treatment greatly enhance the stability and conductivity of the HMP film. The resulting HMP film exhibits great potential as an ideal candidate for transparent flexible conductive nanodevices.

Hollow double-layered polymer nanoparticles with S-nitrosothiols for tumor targeted therapy

Tumor targeted hollow double-layered polymer nanoparticles (HDPNs) withS-nitrosothiols for nitric oxide (NO)-release as chemotherapy were described.

Stimuli-Responsive Delivery of Therapeutics for Diabetes Treatment

Diabetic therapeutics, including insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), are essential for diabetic patients to regulate blood glucose levels. However, conventional treatments that are based on subcutaneous injections are often associated with poor glucose control and a lack of patient compliance. In this review, we focus on the different stimuli-responsive systems to deliver therapeutics for diabetes treatment to improve patient comfort and prevent complications. Specifically, the pH-responsive systems for oral drug delivery are introduced first. Then, the closed-loop glucose-responsive systems are summarized based on different glucose-responsive moieties, including glucose oxidase (GOx), glucose binding protein (GBP), and phenylboronic acid (PBA). Finally, the on-demand delivery systems activated by external remote triggers are also discussed. We conclude by discussing advantages and limitations of current strategies, as well as future opportunities and challenges in this area.

Surface patterned pH-sensitive fluorescence using β-cyclodextrin functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)

This paper reports the development of a pH-responsive molecular pattern that shows specific and selective affinity for particular host-guest interactions, and its use as a pH fluorescent sensor. The pH-responsive boronate ester is formed via interactions between the diol group of β-cyclodextrin (CD) and phenylboronic acid of poly(ethylene glycol), and is strategically designed to allow reversible formation of a molecular lining pattern. Printing on a versatile substrate provides a method to monitor the positioning of different molecules by using a pH-responsive boronate ester, allowing specific host-guest interactions on any surface. Confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and (1)H NMR results indicate that the assembled CD monolayer can be removed by washing with an acidic pH buffer, demonstrating the presence of a boronate ester connective bridge, which is acid labile. Therefore, visualization of the pH-responsive fluorescence sensor using a rhodamine-CD complex allows straightforward discrimination between different molecules on any substrate, thus facilitating application of this sensor in clinical diagnostics and environmental monitoring.

Exploration of selective decoration of Janus silica particles within polymeric patterned pore arrays

Amphiphilic Janus particles were put into use as stabilizer in assisting the “breath figure” patterning process, demonstrating stronger interfacial activity comparing to the isotropic particles.

Spatially directed vesicle capture in the ordered pores of breath-figure polymer films

This work describes a new method to selectively capture liposomes and other vesicle entities in the patterned pores of breath-figure polymer films. The process involves the deposition of a hydrophobe containing biopolymer in the pores of the breath figure, and the tethering of vesicles to the biopolymer through hydrophobic interactions. The process is versatile, can be scaled up and extended to the deposition of other functional materials in the pores of breath figures.

Key steps towards the oriented immobilization of antibodies using boronic acids

The reader is guided through several points that need to be considered for a successful antibody immobilization using boronic acids.

Porphyrinated polyimide honeycomb films with high thermal stability for HCl gas sensing

Thermally stable films with ordered pores are fabricated from porphyrinated polyimides and they exhibit excellent property in HCl gas sensing.

Honeycomb porous films of pentablock copolymer on liquid substrates via breath figure method and their hydrophobic properties with static and dynamic behaviour

The peeled film obtained on the isopropanol substrate through breath figure method exhibits the best hydrophobic properties, and the water droplet impact behavior shows an obvious rebound tendency and a weak maximum spreading diameter.

Managing diabetes with nanomedicine: challenges and opportunities

Nanotechnology-based approaches hold substantial potential for improving the care of patients with diabetes. Nanoparticles are being developed as imaging contrast agents to assist in the early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Glucose nanosensors are being incorporated in implantable devices that enable more accurate and patient-friendly real-time tracking of blood glucose levels, and are also providing the basis for glucose-responsive nanoparticles that better mimic the body's physiological needs for insulin. Finally, nanotechnology is being used in non-invasive approaches to insulin delivery and to engineer more effective vaccine, cell and gene therapies for type 1 diabetes. Here, we analyse the current state of these approaches and discuss key issues for their translation to clinical practice.

A patterned porous polymer film for localized capture of insulin and glucose-responsive release

A responsive porous polymer film with insulin loaded efficiently in modified cavities, which is released by a glucose trigger, is prepared.

Self-assembly of graphene oxide at interfaces

Due to its amphiphilic property, graphene oxide (GO) can achieve a variety of nanostructures with different morphologies (for example membranes, hydrogel, crumpled particles, hollow spheres, sack-cargo particles, Pickering emulsions, and so on) by self-assembly. The self-assembly is mostly derived from the self-concentration of GO sheets at various interfaces, including liquid-air, liquid-liquid and liquid-solid interfaces. This paper gives a comprehensive review of these assembly phenomena of GO at the three types of interfaces, the derived interfacial self-assembly techniques, and the as-obtained assembled materials and their properties. The interfacial self-assembly of GO, enabled by its fantastic features including the amphiphilicity, the negatively charged nature, abundant oxygen-containing groups and two-dimensional flexibility, is highlighted as an easy and well-controlled strategy for the design and preparation of functionalized carbon materials, and the use of self-assembly for uniform hybridization is addressed for preparing hybrid carbon materials with various functions. A number of new exciting and potential applications are also presented for the assembled GO-based materials. This contribution concludes with some personal perspectives on future challenges before interfacial self-assembly may become a major strategy for the application-targeted design and preparation of functionalized carbon materials.