1
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Liang X, Shiomi K, Nakajima K. Study of the Dynamic Viscoelasticity of Single Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) Chains Using Atomic Force Microscopy. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Liang
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo152-8552, Japan
| | - Kohei Shiomi
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo152-8552, Japan
| | - Ken Nakajima
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo152-8552, Japan
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2
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Yuan Z, Ding J, Zhang Y, Huang B, Song Z, Meng X, Ma X, Gong X, Huang Z, Ma S, Xiang S, Xu W. Components, mechanisms and applications of stimuli-responsive polymer gels. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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3
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Tavagnacco L, Zaccarelli E, Chiessi E. Modeling Solution Behavior of Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide): A Comparison between Water Models. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:3778-3788. [PMID: 35491838 PMCID: PMC9150113 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c00637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Water is known to
play a fundamental role in determining the structure
and functionality of macromolecules. The same crucial contribution
is also found in the in silico description of polymer aqueous solutions.
In this work, we exploit the widely investigated synthetic polymer
poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) to understand
the effect of the adopted water model on its solution behavior and
to refine the computational setup. By means of atomistic molecular
dynamics simulations, we perform a comparative study of PNIPAM aqueous
solution using two advanced water models: TIP4P/2005 and TIP4P/Ice.
The conformation and hydration features of an atactic 30-mer at infinite
dilution are probed at a range of temperature and pressure suitable
to detect the coil-to-globule transition and to map the P–T
phase diagram. Although both water models can reproduce the temperature-induced
coil-to-globule transition at atmospheric pressure and the polymer
hydration enhancement that occurs with increasing pressure, the PNIPAM–TIP4P/Ice
solution shows better agreement with experimental findings. This result
can be attributed to a stronger interaction of TIP4P/Ice water with
both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups of PNIPAM, as well as to a
less favorable contribution of the solvent entropy to the coil-to-globule
transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Tavagnacco
- CNR-ISC and Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A, Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Emanuela Zaccarelli
- CNR-ISC and Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A, Moro 2, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Ester Chiessi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica I, Rome 00133, Italy
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4
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Zhou D, Wan LS, Xu ZK, Mochizuki K. Less-Ordered Hydration Shell around Poly( N, N-diethylacrylamide) Is Insensitive to the Clouding Transition. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:12104-12109. [PMID: 34668702 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Raman multivariate curve resolution (Raman-MCR) is applied to examine how the hydration shell around poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) (PDEAM) changes upon heating, in comparison with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), both of which undergo a clouding transition near room temperature. We report that PDEAM possesses a less-ordered and smaller hydration shell than PNIPAM. Furthermore, the PDEAM hydration-shell structure is insensitive to the occurrence of clouding, indicating the coil-globule transition and aggregation of multiple chains can be achieved without the hydration-shell structural transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment Technology, and Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Ling-Shu Wan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment Technology, and Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zhi-Kang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, MOE Engineering Research Center of Membrane and Water Treatment Technology, and Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Kenji Mochizuki
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310028, China
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5
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Pang X, Yuan C, Sun R, Wang K, Tang B. Revealing the Underestimated Anticancer Effect of Azurin by Mechanical Unfolding. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:4809-4818. [PMID: 34558912 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
As a potential anticancer agent, azurin has attracted extensive attraction among chemists, physicists, and material scientists. Its structural and unfolding/folding information has been partially understood, but some detailed information, such as the difference in the unfolding processes between apo-azurin and holo-azurin, the mechanical stability, and the role of the copper cluster in its stability, has not been addressed adequately, especially at the single-molecule level. Here, we employed AFM-based single-molecule force spectroscopy to investigate the unfolding process of azurin in the apo and holo forms under an external force. The results indicated that the unfolding processes of apo-azurin and holo-azurin are different, and holo-azurin requires a stronger force to unfold than does apo-azurin. The copper cluster exhibited a more significant impact on the stability and the folding process of holo-azurin: the copper cluster was completely broken, and the copper ion left the unfolded azurin during the unfolding process of azurin. We suspected that the presence of the disulfide bond in azurin made the unfolding of the copper cluster different from that in pseudoazurin, which is also a type I copper protein like azurin. Rarely reported in previous studies, the mechanical strength of the Cu-N(His) bond of the copper cluster was obtained in this study, which is weaker than that of most metal-S(Cys) bonds but higher than that of the Fe-N(His) bond. Altogether, our results offer a possible new scenario for azurin to widely extend its anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangchao Pang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, PR China.,Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Materials Surface & Interface Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Caijie Yuan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, PR China
| | - Rui Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Kui Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong P.R. China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, P.R. China
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6
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Drozdov AD, Christiansen JD. Modulation of the volume phase transition temperature of thermo-responsive gels. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2020; 114:104215. [PMID: 33234497 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thermo-responsive (TR) gels swell substantially below their volume phase transition temperature Tc and shrink above this temperature. Applications of TR gels in controlled drug delivery and their use as biosensors and temperature-triggered soft actuators require fine tuning of Tc. As the critical temperature is independent of the preparation conditions and molar fractions of monomers and cross-linkers, it is modulated by incorporation of (neutral or ionic) monomers and polymer chains into pre-gel solutions for TR gels. A model is developed for the mechanical response and equilibrium swelling of TR gels. Analytical formulas are derived for the effect of molar fraction of comonomers on the volume phase transition temperature Tc in copolymer gels and gels with semi-interpenetrating networks. Adjustable parameters are found by fitting equilibrium swelling diagrams on poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) gels. Good agreement is demonstrated between predictions of the model and experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Drozdov
- Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 16, Aalborg 9220, Denmark.
| | - J deClaville Christiansen
- Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 16, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
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7
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Wen L, Zhang S, Xiao Y, He J, Zhu S, Zhang J, Wu Z, Lang M. Organocatalytic Ring-Opening Polymerization Toward Poly(γ-amide-ε-caprolactone)s with Tunable Lower Critical Solution Temperatures. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lianlei Wen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shaoze Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Vacuum Metallurgy, Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Battery and Materials of Yunnan Province, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China
| | - Yan Xiao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jin He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shuang Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zihan Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Meidong Lang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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8
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Podewitz M, Wang Y, Quoika PK, Loeffler JR, Schauperl M, Liedl KR. Coil-Globule Transition Thermodynamics of Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide). J Phys Chem B 2019; 123:8838-8847. [PMID: 31545046 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b06125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thermosensitive polymers such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) undergo a phase transition in aqueous solution from a random-coil structural ensemble to a globule structural ensemble at the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Above this temperature, PNIPAM agglomerates and becomes insoluble, whereas it is soluble below the temperature. Thus, thermosensitive polymers represent essential targets for several applications, e.g., in drug delivery. Although their ability to change structure in response to a temperature alteration is highly relevant for industrial processes, their thermodynamic properties are mostly qualitatively understood, and the quantitative thermodynamic picture is still elusive. In this study, we used a combined atomistic molecular dynamics and well-tempered metadynamics simulation approach to estimate coil-globule transition thermodynamics. An isotactic 30-mer of PNIPAM was investigated over a broad temperature range between 200 and 360 K. The transition from the globule to the random-coil structure was observed with well-tempered metadynamics. For the first time, the free energy surface of PNIPAM was estimated and it is shown that the simulation results are in line with the experimentally observed thermosensitive behavior. Below the LCST, the random-coil ensemble represents the global energy minimum and is thermodynamically favored by 21 ± 9 kJ/mol compared to the globule ensemble; both are separated by a barrier of 49 ± 14 kJ/mol. In contrast, above the LCST, the globule ensemble is thermodynamically favored by 21 ± 8 kJ/mol over the random-coil ensemble. The barrier from random-coil to globule is 17 ± 10 kJ/mol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Podewitz
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI) , University of Innsbruck , Innrain 80-82 , A-6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI) , University of Innsbruck , Innrain 80-82 , A-6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Patrick K Quoika
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI) , University of Innsbruck , Innrain 80-82 , A-6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Johannes R Loeffler
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI) , University of Innsbruck , Innrain 80-82 , A-6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Michael Schauperl
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI) , University of Innsbruck , Innrain 80-82 , A-6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Klaus R Liedl
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI) , University of Innsbruck , Innrain 80-82 , A-6020 Innsbruck , Austria
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9
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Matsumoto M, Tada T, Asoh TA, Shoji T, Nishiyama T, Horibe H, Katsumoto Y, Tsuboi Y. Dynamics of the Phase Separation in a Thermoresponsive Polymer: Accelerated Phase Separation of Stereocontrolled Poly( N, N-diethylacrylamide) in Water. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:13690-13696. [PMID: 30362770 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We studied the dependence on tacticity of the dynamic phase separation behavior of thermoresponsive poly( N, N-diethylacrylamide) (PDEA) in an aqueous solution. Using a laser temperature-jump technique combined with transient photometry, we determined the time constants of the phase separation and found that both atactic and isotactic-rich PDEAs had fast and slow phase separation processes (τfast and τslow). The fast process (τfast) was independent of the tacticity, irrespective of the concentration. On the other hand, the slow process had a strong dependence on the tacticity. We found the slow phase separation process got considerably faster with increasing isotacticity in dilute solutions. This effect due to the tacticity of the PDEA is totally different from that of poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) and can be explained on the basis of the difference between the hydrophobicity of atactic PDEA and that of isotactic-rich PDEA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Takanori Tada
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering , Hokkaido University , Sapporo 060-0810 , Japan
| | | | | | | | | | - Yukiteru Katsumoto
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science , Fukuoka University , 8-19-1 Nanakuma , Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180 , Japan
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10
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Ferreira Soares DC, Oda CMR, Monteiro LOF, de Barros ALB, Tebaldi ML. Responsive polymer conjugates for drug delivery applications: recent advances in bioconjugation methodologies. J Drug Target 2018; 27:355-366. [DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2018.1499747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Mari Ramos Oda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Andre Luis Branco de Barros
- Department of Pharmaceutical Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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11
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Tavagnacco L, Zaccarelli E, Chiessi E. On the molecular origin of the cooperative coil-to-globule transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in water. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:9997-10010. [PMID: 29619464 PMCID: PMC5932979 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp00537k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The cooperativity of PNIPAM coil-to-globule transition in water arises from the structuring of solvent in proximity to hydrophobic groups.
By means of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations we investigate the behaviour of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM, in water at temperatures below and above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), including the undercooled regime. The transition between water soluble and insoluble states at the LCST is described as a cooperative process involving an intramolecular coil-to-globule transition preceding the aggregation of chains and the polymer precipitation. In this work we investigate the molecular origin of such cooperativity and the evolution of the hydration pattern in the undercooled polymer solution. The solution behaviour of an atactic 30-mer at high dilution is studied in the temperature interval from 243 to 323 K with a favourable comparison to available experimental data. In the water soluble states of PNIPAM we detect a correlation between polymer segmental dynamics and diffusion motion of bound water, occurring with the same activation energy. Simulation results show that below the coil-to-globule transition temperature PNIPAM is surrounded by a network of hydrogen bonded water molecules and that the cooperativity arises from the structuring of water clusters in proximity to hydrophobic groups. Differently, the perturbation of the hydrogen bond pattern involving water and amide groups occurs above the transition temperature. Altogether these findings reveal that even above the LCST PNIPAM remains largely hydrated and that the coil-to-globule transition is related with a significant rearrangement of the solvent in the proximity of the surface of the polymer. The comparison between the hydrogen bonding of water in the surrounding of PNIPAM isopropyl groups and in the bulk displays a decreased structuring of solvent at the hydrophobic polymer–water interface across the transition temperature, as expected because of the topological extension along the chain of such interface. No evidence of an upper critical solution temperature behaviour, postulated in theoretical and thermodynamics studies of PNIPAM aqueous solution, is observed in the low temperature domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tavagnacco
- CNR-ISC, Uos Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
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12
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Radiom M, Maroni P, Wesolowski TA. Size extensivity of elastic properties of alkane fragments. J Mol Model 2018; 24:36. [PMID: 29313112 PMCID: PMC5758687 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-017-3572-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Using MP2, CCSD, and B3LYP methods of computational chemistry, we show length dependence in the intrinsic elastic properties of short alkane fragments. For isolated alkane fragments of finite length in the gas phase and zero temperature, the intrinsic elasticity constants are found to vary with the number of carbon atoms and its parity. From extrapolation of the elasticity constants calculations to infinite chain length, and by comparing with in-situ elasticity constant of single poly(ethylene) molecule obtained with atomic force microscopy, we estimate the softening effect of environment on the extension response of the polymer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Radiom
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland.
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Drottning Kristinas väg 51, 10044, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Plinio Maroni
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tomasz A Wesolowski
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
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13
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Dalgakiran E, Tatlipinar H. The role of hydrophobic hydration in the LCST behaviour of POEGMA300 by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:15389-15399. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp02026d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The role of hydrophobic hydration in the LCST phase transition of POEGMA300 by means of the breakage of cage-like water formations around the side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eray Dalgakiran
- Department of Physics
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences
- Yildiz Technical University
- Istanbul
- Turkey
| | - Hasan Tatlipinar
- Department of Physics
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences
- Yildiz Technical University
- Istanbul
- Turkey
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14
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Dalgakiran E, Tatlipinar H. Atomistic insights on the LCST behavior of PMEO2
MA in water by molecular dynamics simulations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.24555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eray Dalgakiran
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Yildiz Technical University; Istanbul 34220 Turkey
| | - Hasan Tatlipinar
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Yildiz Technical University; Istanbul 34220 Turkey
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15
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Identifying trends in hydration behavior for modifications to the hydrophobicity of poly(n-isopropylacrylamide). J Mol Graph Model 2017; 78:168-175. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2017.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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16
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Li X, Li X, Shi X, Qiu G, Lu X. Thermosensitive DEA/DMA copolymer nanogel: Low initiator induced synthesis and structural colored colloidal array’s optical properties. Eur Polym J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2017.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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17
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Radiom M, Maroni P, Borkovec M. Influence of Solvent Quality on the Force Response of Individual Poly(styrene) Polymer Chains. ACS Macro Lett 2017; 6:1052-1055. [PMID: 35650941 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.7b00652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Single molecule mechanics of poly(styrene) polymer chains is investigated in different organic solvents with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The acquired force-extension profiles can be well fitted with a modified freely jointed chain (FJC) model. The model describes the force-extension profiles in terms of an apparent Kuhn length and an elasticity constant. The elasticity constant is found to be the same for all different solvents investigated. Best fit of the force-extension profiles with the FJC model reveals that the Kuhn length varies systematically with solvent quality. In fact, one can establish a good correlation between the Kuhn length and the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter. The increase in the Kuhn length with increasing solvent quality reflects the larger extent of swelling of the polymer in good solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Radiom
- Department of Inorganic and
Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Plinio Maroni
- Department of Inorganic and
Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michal Borkovec
- Department of Inorganic and
Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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18
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Jia D, Muthukumar M, Cheng H, Han CC, Hammouda B. Concentration Fluctuations near Lower Critical Solution Temperature in Ternary Aqueous Solutions. Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Di Jia
- China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), Institute of
High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dongguan 523803, China
- Dongguan Institute
of Neutron Science (DINS), Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Murugappan Muthukumar
- Department of Polymer
Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - He Cheng
- China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), Institute of
High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dongguan 523803, China
- Dongguan Institute
of Neutron Science (DINS), Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Charles C. Han
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Boualem Hammouda
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6102, United States
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19
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Jeon SJ, Hayward RC. Reconfigurable Microscale Frameworks from Concatenated Helices with Controlled Chirality. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1606111. [PMID: 28221713 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201606111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The utility of helical structures in driving motion of microorganisms and plants has inspired efforts to develop synthetic stimuli-responsive helical architectures for self-motile and shape-morphing systems. While several approaches to responsive helices based on hydrogels and liquid crystalline polymers have been reported, they have so far been limited to macroscopic (cm scale) dimensions, and have not been applied to concatenated helices with more than two segments. Here, a robust method for microfabrication of helices inspired by Bauhinia seedpods, based on trilayer samples consisting of rigid plastic stripes sandwiching a swellable temperature-responsive hydrogel, is reported and the formation of responsive shape-controlled frameworks from concatenated multiple helices (multihelices) with controlled chirality is demonstrated. The block angle at each helical junction is controlled by the change in stripe direction, while the torsion angle defined by each segment of three helices is prescribed by the net twist of the middle segment, providing simple geometric design rules for the fabrication of complex 3D structures. This work opens new directions in programming 3D shapes by providing new insight into helical segments as building blocks, with potential applicability to the fabrication of scaffolds for cell culture, reconfigurable microfluidic channels, and microswimmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seog-Jin Jeon
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Ryan C Hayward
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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20
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Luo Z, Zhang A, Chen Y, Shen Z, Cui S. How Big Is Big Enough? Effect of Length and Shape of Side Chains on the Single-Chain Enthalpic Elasticity of a Macromolecule. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglong Luo
- Key
Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Afang Zhang
- Department
of Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Nanchen Road 333, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yongming Chen
- School
of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhihao Shen
- Beijing
National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer
Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter
Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shuxun Cui
- Key
Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
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21
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Chiessi E, Paradossi G. Influence of Tacticity on Hydrophobicity of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide): A Single Chain Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:3765-76. [PMID: 27031404 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b01339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Several pieces of experimental evidence show that the water affinity of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM, decreases with the increase of the degree of isotacticity. To give a rationale to such effect we carried out atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of PNIPAM 30-mers with content of meso dyads, m, of 45% and 59%, assuming a Bernoullian dyad distribution. The single chain behavior of these stereoisomers in water was modeled at 283 and 323 K, i.e., below and above the lower critical solution temperature, LCST. Simulation results show that the dyad composition has influence on size and conformation of the oligomer below the LCST, the isotactic-rich stereoisomer preferring conformations with lower radius of gyration. With reference to the cooperative hydration model of PNIPAM, we analyzed the organization and the dynamics of water in the surroundings of the polymer. Below the LCST the number of hydrogen bonds per water molecule in the first hydration shell and the water surface concentration around PNIPAM are affected by the meso/racemo dyad ratio, showing the higher hydrophobicity of the isotactic-rich system. Above the LCST the subtle effects leading to the modulation of conformation and hydration by means of tacticity are overtaken, and the chain collapse is observed for both systems up to a similar globular state. The comparison of simulation findings of the m 45% stereoisomer with available experimental results of atactic PNIPAM highlights additional molecular details of this macromolecule in aqueous environment. The characteristic time for motion of water molecules in the PNIPAM first hydration shell at 283 K is about 34 ps, in agreement with the experimental value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Chiessi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica I, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gaio Paradossi
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica I, 00133 Rome, Italy
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22
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The solvent quality of water for poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in the collapsed state: Implications from single-molecule studies. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-016-1773-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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23
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Wang J, Liu B, Ru G, Bai J, Feng J. Effect of Urea on Phase Transition of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and Poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) Hydrogels: A Clue for Urea-Induced Denaturation. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b01949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics,
National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of
Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P. R. China
- University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Biaolan Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics,
National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of
Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P. R. China
- University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Geying Ru
- State
Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics,
National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of
Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P. R. China
| | - Jia Bai
- State
Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics,
National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of
Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P. R. China
- University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jiwen Feng
- State
Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics,
National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of
Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, P. R. China
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24
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Philipp M, Körstgens V, Magerl D, Heller C, Yao Y, Wang W, Santoro G, Roth SV, Müller-Buschbaum P. Sorption of Water and Initial Stages of Swelling of Thin PNIPAM Films Using in Situ GISAXS Microfluidics. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:9619-9627. [PMID: 26280809 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b01978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The sorption of low-molecular penetrants by thin polymer films, as well as structural changes provoked therein, is of high relevance for many fields of application. Complex permeation, diffusion, swelling, and dissolution processes are often induced within films by solvents or gases. Here, we use a novel in situ microfluidics-grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) setup to examine changes in film thickness and in the surface structure of a thin polymer film that sorbs a good solvent. Thus, this technique is highly complementary to the established techniques on the field of diffusion in polymers. The initial stages of water uptake and swelling are resolved for a 50 nm thin, hydrophilic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) film, before its dissolution sets in. The initial stages of swelling are tentatively described by anomalous swelling induced by a time- and space-dependent diffusion coefficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Philipp
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Volker Körstgens
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - David Magerl
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Christoph Heller
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Yuan Yao
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Weijia Wang
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Gonzalo Santoro
- Photon Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) , Notkestrasse 85, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan V Roth
- Photon Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) , Notkestrasse 85, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München , James-Franck-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
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25
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Luo Z, Cheng B, Cui S. Effects of Water on the Single-Chain Elasticity of Poly(U) RNA. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:6107-6113. [PMID: 25989243 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b01313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Water, the dominant component under the physiological condition, is a complicated solvent which greatly affects the properties of solute molecules. Here, we utilize atomic force microscope-based single-molecule force spectroscopy to study the influence of water on the single-molecule elasticity of an unstructured single-stranded RNA (poly(U)). In nonpolar solvents, RNA presents its inherent elasticity, which is consistent with the theoretical single-chain elasticity calculated by quantum mechanics calculations. In aqueous buffers, however, an additional energy of 1.88 kJ/mol·base is needed for the stretching of the ssRNA chain. This energy is consumed by the bound water rearrangement (Ew) during chain elongation. Further experimental results indicate that the Ew value is uncorrelated to the salt concentrations and stretching velocity. The results obtained in an 8 M guanidine·HCl solution provide more evidence that the bound water molecules around RNA give rise to the observed deviation between aqueous and nonaqueous environments. Compared to synthetic water-soluble polymers, the value of Ew of RNA is much lower. The weak interference of water is supposed to be the precondition for the RNA secondary structure to exist in aqueous solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglong Luo
- Key Lab of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education of China, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Bo Cheng
- Key Lab of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education of China, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Shuxun Cui
- Key Lab of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education of China, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
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26
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AL-Baradi A, Tomlinson MR, Zhang ZJ, Geoghegan M. Determination of the molar mass of surface-grafted weak polyelectrolyte brushes using force spectroscopy. POLYMER 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2015.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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27
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Bao Y, Qian HJ, Lu ZY, Cui S. Revealing the Hydrophobicity of Natural Cellulose by Single-Molecule Experiments. Macromolecules 2015. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bao
- Key
Lab of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education of
China, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Hu-jun Qian
- Institute
of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China
| | - Zhong-yuan Lu
- Institute
of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130023, China
| | - Shuxun Cui
- Key
Lab of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education of
China, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
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28
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Cheng B, Cui S. Supramolecular Chemistry and Mechanochemistry of Macromolecules: Recent Advances by Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2015; 369:97-134. [DOI: 10.1007/128_2015_628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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29
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Yu M, Chen S, Zhang B, Qiu D, Cui S. Why a lotus-like superhydrophobic surface is self-cleaning? An explanation from surface force measurements and analysis. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:13615-21. [PMID: 25335800 DOI: 10.1021/la5041272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The unique self-cleaning feature of the lotus-like superhydrophobic (SH) surface attracted worldwide interest in recent years. However, the mechanism of the self-cleaning phenomena remains unclear. Here, we attempt to provide a comprehensive understanding of why self-cleaning of the particles with a broad range of size can be realized on the lotus-like SH surfaces. After measurements and analysis of the force involved at the interface, we conclude that there are four main preconditions for self-cleaning: (1) contact angle (CA) > 90°, (2) low enough sliding angle, (3) low enough adhesion force, and (4) proper particle size. However, as far as the lotus-like SH surface and typical dust are concerned, all the preconditions will be satisfied automatically. We also observe that the particles with a broad range of size (from submicron level to the millimeter level) and density (virtually no limit) can be driven by a water droplet on the lotus-like SH surface. This interesting finding may be helpful for the design of novel engineering system at the micron-millimeter scale in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials (Ministry of Education), Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China
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30
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Aleksandrova R, Philipp M, Müller U, Riobóo RJ, Ostermeyer M, Sanctuary R, Müller-Buschbaum P, Krüger JK. phase instability and molecular kinetics provoked by repeated crossing of the demixing transition of PNIPAM solutions. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:11792-11801. [PMID: 25215653 DOI: 10.1021/la5026763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The demixing process of aqueous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) solutions can occur either via a nucleation and growth process or via spinodal decomposition. The ensuing self-assembly, leading to heterogeneous morphologies within the PNIPAM solution, is codetermined by kinetic processes caused by molecular transport. By subjecting PNIPAM solutions to cyclic changes in temperature leading to repeated crossing of the demixing transition, we are able to assess the importance of kinetics as well as of overheating and supercooling of the phase transition within the metastable range delimited by the binodal and spinodal lines. First indications about the location of these stability limits for the low- and high-temperature phases, separated by about 1.6 K, could be gained by detailed kinetic studies of the refractive index. These investigations are made possible due to the novel technique of temperature-modulated optical refractometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralitsa Aleksandrova
- Laboratoire de Physique des Matériaux, Université du Luxembourg , Campus Limpertsberg, 162A, avenue de la faïencerie, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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31
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Wan P, Chen X. Stimuli-Responsive Supramolecular Interfaces for Controllable Bioelectrocatalysis. ChemElectroChem 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201402266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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32
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Pena-Francesch A, Montero L, Borrós S. Tailoring the LCST of thermosensitive hydrogel thin films deposited by iCVD. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:7162-7167. [PMID: 24874567 DOI: 10.1021/la5003594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Using the iCVD (initiated chemical vapor deposition) polymerization technique, we generated a library of thermosensitive thin film hydrogels in the physiological temperature range. The library shows how a specific hydrogel with a desired temperature response can be synthesized via the copolymerization of three main components: (a) the main thermosensitive monomer, which determines the temperature range of the LCST; (b) the comonomer, which modulates the temperature according to its hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior; and (c) the cross-linker, which determines the swelling degree and the polymer chain mobility of the resulting hydrogel. The thermosensitive thin films included in the library have been characterized by the water contact angle (WCA), revealing a switchable hydrophobic/hydrophilic behavior depending on the temperature and a decrease in the WCA with the incorporation of hydrophilic moieties. Moreover, a more accurate characterization by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is performed. With temperature and flow control, the switchable swelling properties of the thermosensitive thin films (due to the polymer mixture transition) can be recorded and analyzed in order to study the effects of the comonomer moieties on the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Thus, the LCST tailoring method has been successfully used in this paper, and thermoresponsive thin films (50 nm in thickness) have been deposited by iCVD, exhibiting LCSTs in the 32-49 °C range. Due to the presented method's ability to tailor the LCST in the physiological temperature range, the developed thermoresponsive films present potential biosensing and drug delivery applications in the biomedical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdon Pena-Francesch
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Materials, Institut Químic de Sarrià-Universitat Ramon Llull , Via Augusta 390, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
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