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Xu Q, Wang Y, Zheng Y, Zhu Y, Li Z, Liu Y, Ding M. Polymersomes in Drug Delivery─From Experiment to Computational Modeling. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2114-2135. [PMID: 38011222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Polymersomes, composed of amphiphilic block copolymers, are self-assembled vesicles that have gained attention as potential drug delivery systems due to their good biocompatibility, stability, and versatility. Various experimental techniques have been employed to characterize the self-assembly behaviors and properties of polymersomes. However, they have limitations in revealing molecular details and underlying mechanisms. Computational modeling techniques have emerged as powerful tools to complement experimental studies and enabled researchers to examine drug delivery mechanisms at molecular resolution. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the field of polymersome-based drug delivery systems, with an emphasis on insights gained from both experimental and computational studies. Specifically, we focus on polymersome morphologies, self-assembly kinetics, fusion and fission, behaviors in flow, as well as drug encapsulation and release mechanisms. Furthermore, we also identify existing challenges and limitations in this rapidly evolving field and suggest possible directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianru Xu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yiwei Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zheng
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yuling Zhu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Zifen Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Mingming Ding
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
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2
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Zhu Q, Tree DR. Simulations of morphology control of self‐assembled amphiphilic surfactants. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20220771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qinyu Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering Brigham Young University Provo Utah USA
| | - Douglas R. Tree
- Department of Chemical Engineering Brigham Young University Provo Utah USA
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3
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Tang Y, Cai T, Lin J, Zhang L. Precise Control over Positioning and Orientation of Nanorods in Block Copolymer Nanocomposites via Regulation of Coassembly Pathways. Macromolecules 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Tianyun Cai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Liangshun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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4
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Hybrid Molecules Consisting of Lysine Dendrons with Several Hydrophobic Tails: A SCF Study of Self-Assembling. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032078. [PMID: 36768408 PMCID: PMC9916814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In this article, we used the numerical self-consistent field method of Scheutjens-Fleer to study the micellization of hybrid molecules consisting of one polylysine dendron with charged end groups and several linear hydrophobic tails attached to its root. The main attention was paid to spherical micelles and the determination of the range of parameters at which they can appear. A relationship has been established between the size and internal structure of the resulting spherical micelles and the length and number of hydrophobic tails, as well as the number of dendron generations. It is shown that the splitting of the same number of hydrophobic monomers from one long tail into several short tails leads to a decrease in the aggregation number and, accordingly, the number of terminal charges in micelles. At the same time, it was shown that the surface area per dendron does not depend on the number of hydrophobic monomers or tails in the hybrid molecule. The relationship between the structure of hybrid molecules and the electrostatic properties of the resulting micelles has also been studied. It is found that the charge distribution in the corona depends on the number of dendron generations G in the hybrid molecule. For a small number of generations (up to G=3), a standard double electric layer is observed. For a larger number of generations (G=4), the charges of dendrons in the corona are divided into two populations: in the first population, the charges are in the spherical layer near the boundary between the micelle core and shell, and in the second population, the charges are near the periphery of the spherical shell. As a result, a part of the counterions is localized in the wide region between them. These results are of potential interest for the use of spherical dendromicelles as nanocontainers for drug delivery.
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Zhang KH, Jiang Y, Zhang LS. Inferring the Physics of Structural Evolution of Multicomponent Polymers via Machine-Learning-Accelerated Method. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-023-2891-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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6
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Schmid F. Understanding and Modeling Polymers: The Challenge of Multiple Scales. ACS POLYMERS AU 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.2c00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Schmid
- Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Staudingerweg 9, 55128Mainz, Germany
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7
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Müller M. Memory in the relaxation of a polymer density modulation. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:124902. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0084602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Müller
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg August University Gottingen Faculty of Physics, Germany
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8
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Gu J, Zhang R, Zhang L, Lin J. Epitaxial Assembly of Nanoparticles in a Diblock Copolymer Matrix: Precise Organization of Individual Nanoparticles into Regular Arrays. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Gu
- 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
| | - Runrong 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
| | - Liangshun 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
| | - Jiaping Lin
- 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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Zhu Q, Scott TR, Tree DR. Using reactive dissipative particle dynamics to understand local shape manipulation of polymer vesicles. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:24-39. [PMID: 33179711 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01654c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biological cells have long been of interest to researchers due to their capacity to actively control their shape. Accordingly, there is significant interest in generating simplified synthetic protocells that can alter their shape based on an externally or internally generated stimulus. To date, most progress has been made towards controlling the global shape of a protocell, whereas less is known about generating a local shape change. Here, we seek to better understand the possible mechanisms for producing local morphological changes in a popular protocell system, the block copolymer vesicle. Accordingly, we have combined Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) and the Split Reactive Brownian Dynamics algorithm (SRBD) to produce a simulation tool that is capable of modeling the dynamics of self-assembled polymer structures as they undergo chemical reactions. Using this Reactive DPD or RDPD method, we investigate local morphological change driven by either the microinjection of a stimulus or an enzymatically-produced stimulus. We find that sub-vesicle-scale morphological change can be induced by either a solvent stimulus that swells the vesicle membrane, or by a reactant stimulus that alters the chemistry of the block polymer in the membrane corona. Notably, the latter method results in a more persistent local deformation than the former, which we attribute to the slower diffusion of polymer chains relative to the solvent. We quantify this deformation and show that it can be modulated by altering the interaction parameter of the parts of the polymer chain that are affected by the stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyu Zhu
- Chemical Engineering Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA.
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Schmid F, Li B. Dynamic Self-Consistent Field Approach for Studying Kinetic Processes in Multiblock Copolymer Melts. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12102205. [PMID: 32992992 PMCID: PMC7601758 DOI: 10.3390/polym12102205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The self-consistent field theory is a popular and highly successful theoretical framework for studying equilibrium (co)polymer systems at the mesoscopic level. Dynamic density functionals allow one to use this framework for studying dynamical processes in the diffusive, non-inertial regime. The central quantity in these approaches is the mobility function, which describes the effect of chain connectivity on the nonlocal response of monomers to thermodynamic driving fields. In a recent study, one of us and coworkers have developed a method to systematically construct mobility functions from reference fine-grained simulations. Here we focus on melts of linear chains in the Rouse regime and show how the mobility functions can be calculated semi-analytically for multiblock copolymers with arbitrary sequences without resorting to simulations. In this context, an accurate approximate expression for the single-chain dynamic structure factor is derived. Several limiting regimes are discussed. Then we apply the resulting density functional theory to study ordering processes in a two-length scale block copolymer system after instantaneous quenches into the ordered phase. Different dynamical regimes in the ordering process are identified: at early times, the ordering on short scales dominates; at late times, the ordering on larger scales takes over. For large quench depths, the system does not necessarily relax into the true equilibrium state. Our density functional approach could be used for the computer-assisted design of quenching protocols in order to create novel nonequilibrium materials.
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11
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Ji S, Zhang R, Zhang L, Yuan Y, Lin J. Self‐assembled nanostructures of diblock copolymer films under homopolymer topcoats. POLYM INT 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.6009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Ji
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of EducationSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
| | - Runrong Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of EducationSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
| | - Liangshun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of EducationSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of EducationSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of EducationSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China
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12
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Mantha S, Qi S, Schmid F. Bottom-up Construction of Dynamic Density Functional Theories for Inhomogeneous Polymer Systems from Microscopic Simulations. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sriteja Mantha
- Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Staudingerweg 9, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Shuanhu Qi
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Friederike Schmid
- Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Staudingerweg 9, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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13
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Gu J, Zhang R, Zhang L, Lin J. Harnessing Zone Annealing to Program Directional Motion of Nanoparticles in Diblock Copolymers: Creating Periodically Well-Ordered Nanocomposites. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Gu
- 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
| | - Runrong 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
| | - Liangshun 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
| | - Jiaping Lin
- 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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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoyuan Wang
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August-University, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yongzhi Ren
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August-University, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Key Lab of In-fiber Integrated Optics, Ministry Education of China, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Marcus Müller
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August-University, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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15
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Zhang J, Mukherji D, Kremer K, Daoulas KC. Studying polymer solutions with particle-based models linked to classical density functionals: co-non-solvency. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:9282-9295. [PMID: 30403244 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01358f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate the potential of hybrid particle-based models, where interactions are introduced through functionals of local order parameters, in describing multicomponent polymer solutions. The link to a free-energy-like functional is advantageous for controlling the thermodynamics of the model. We focus on co-non-solvency - the collapse of polymer chains in dilute mixtures with two miscible good solvents, having different affinities towards the polymer. We employ a simple model where polymers and solvents are represented, respectively, by worm-like chains and single particles. Non-bonded interactions are captured by a polynomial which is third order in local densities and can, therefore, describe liquid-vapour coexistence. The parameterisation of the functional benefits from an elementary mean-field approximation to the statistical mechanics of the model. The model provides a framework for Monte Carlo simulations using a particle-to-mesh algorithm. Studies with conventional generic bead-spring and all-atom models have demonstrated that co-non-solvency is caused by preferential binding of the better solvent (termed cosolvent) with polymer. Hence, segmental loops bridged by cosolvent molecules are formed, initiating polymer collapse. The mesoscopic hybrid model differs conceptually from the conventional microscopic descriptions. Yet, it reproduces the same co-non-solvency mechanism supporting its universality. Films of adsorbed ternary solutions, showing co-non-solvency in the dilute regime, are considered at high concentrations. In this case, chains do not collapse. The properties of loops and tails of the adsorbed polymer agree with early theoretical predictions obtained for concentrated binary solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Zhang
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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16
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Shavykin OV, Leermakers FAM, Neelov IM, Darinskii AA. Self-Assembly of Lysine-Based Dendritic Surfactants Modeled by the Self-Consistent Field Approach. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:1613-1626. [PMID: 29286663 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Implementing a united atom model, we apply self-consistent field theory to study structure and thermodynamic properties of spherical micelles composed of surfactants that combine an alkyl tail with a charged lysine-based dendritic headgroup. Following experiments, the focus was on dendron surfactants with varying tail length and dendron generations G0, G1, G2. The heads are subject to acetylation modification which reduces the charge and hydrophilicity. We establish a reasonable parameter set which results in semiquantitative agreement with the available experiments. The critical micellization concentration, aggregation number, and micelle size are discussed. The strongly charged dendronic surfactants micelles are stable for generation numbers G0 and G1, for progressively higher ionic strengths. Associates of G2 surfactants are very small and can only be found at extreme surfactant concentration and salt strengths. Micelles of corresponding weaker charged acetylated variants exist up to G2, tolerate significantly lower salt concentrations, but lose the spherical micelle topology for G0 at high ionic strengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- O V Shavykin
- St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University), Kronverkskiy pr. 49, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | - F A M Leermakers
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University , 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - I M Neelov
- St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University), Kronverkskiy pr. 49, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences , Bolshoi Prospect 31, V.O., St. Petersburg 199004, Russia
| | - A A Darinskii
- St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University), Kronverkskiy pr. 49, St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
- Institute of Macromolecular Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences , Bolshoi Prospect 31, V.O., St. Petersburg 199004, Russia
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17
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Zhang L, Liu L, Lin J. Well-ordered self-assembled nanostructures of block copolymer films via synergistic integration of chemoepitaxy and zone annealing. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:498-508. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cp06261c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The integrated chemical template/zone annealing method has the capability to rapidly fabricate well-aligned and well-oriented nanostructures over a macroscopic area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangshun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
| | - Lingling Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
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18
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Zhang Q, Lin J, Wang L, Xu Z. Theoretical modeling and simulations of self-assembly of copolymers in solution. Prog Polym Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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19
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Qi S, Schmid F. Hybrid particle-continuum simulations coupling Brownian dynamics and local dynamic density functional theory. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:7938-7947. [PMID: 29034937 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01749a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We present a multiscale hybrid particle-field scheme for the simulation of relaxation and diffusion behavior of soft condensed matter systems. It combines particle-based Brownian dynamics and field-based local dynamics in an adaptive sense such that particles can switch their level of resolution on the fly. The switching of resolution is controlled by a tuning function which can be chosen at will according to the geometry of the system. As an application, the hybrid scheme is used to study the kinetics of interfacial broadening of a polymer blend, and is validated by comparing the results to the predictions from pure Brownian dynamics and pure local dynamics calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuanhu Qi
- Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Staudingerweg 7, D-55099 Mainz, Germany.
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20
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Härtel A. Structure of electric double layers in capacitive systems and to what extent (classical) density functional theory describes it. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2017; 29:423002. [PMID: 28898203 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aa8342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing scientific interest is aimed at the properties and structure of electric double layers (EDLs), which are crucial for capacitive energy storage, water treatment, and energy harvesting technologies like supercapacitors, desalination devices, blue engines, and thermocapacitive heat-to-current converters. A promising tool to describe their physics on a microscopic level is (classical) density functional theory (DFT), which can be applied in order to analyze pair correlations and charge ordering in the primitive model of charged hard spheres. This simple model captures the main properties of ionic liquids and solutions and it predicts many of the phenomena that occur in EDLs. The latter often lead to anomalous response in the differential capacitance of EDLs. This work constructively reviews the powerful theoretical framework of DFT and its recent developments regarding the description of EDLs. It explains to what extent current approaches in DFT describe structural ordering and in-plane transitions in EDLs, which occur when the corresponding electrodes are charged. Further, the review briefly summarizes the history of modeling EDLs, presents applications, and points out limitations and strengths in present theoretical approaches. It concludes that DFT as a sophisticated microscopic theory for ionic systems is expecting a challenging but promising future in both fundamental research and applications in supercapacitive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Härtel
- Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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21
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Heuser J, Sevink GJA, Schmid F. Self-Assembly of Polymeric Particles in Poiseuille Flow: A Hybrid Lattice Boltzmann/External Potential Dynamics Simulation Study. Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Heuser
- Institut
für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - G. J. Agur Sevink
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Friederike Schmid
- Institut
für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, D-55099 Mainz, Germany
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22
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Sevink GJA, Schmid F, Kawakatsu T, Milano G. Combining cell-based hydrodynamics with hybrid particle-field simulations: efficient and realistic simulation of structuring dynamics. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:1594-1623. [PMID: 28128838 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm02252a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We have extended an existing hybrid MD-SCF simulation technique that employs a coarsening step to enhance the computational efficiency of evaluating non-bonded particle interactions. This technique is conceptually equivalent to the single chain in mean-field (SCMF) method in polymer physics, in the sense that non-bonded interactions are derived from the non-ideal chemical potential in self-consistent field (SCF) theory, after a particle-to-field projection. In contrast to SCMF, however, MD-SCF evolves particle coordinates by the usual Newton's equation of motion. Since collisions are seriously affected by the softening of non-bonded interactions that originates from their evaluation at the coarser continuum level, we have devised a way to reinsert the effect of collisions on the structural evolution. Merging MD-SCF with multi-particle collision dynamics (MPCD), we mimic particle collisions at the level of computational cells and at the same time properly account for the momentum transfer that is important for a realistic system evolution. The resulting hybrid MD-SCF/MPCD method was validated for a particular coarse-grained model of phospholipids in aqueous solution, against reference full-particle simulations and the original MD-SCF model. We additionally implemented and tested an alternative and more isotropic finite difference gradient. Our results show that efficiency is improved by merging MD-SCF with MPCD, as properly accounting for hydrodynamic interactions considerably speeds up the phase separation dynamics, with negligible additional computational costs compared to efficient MD-SCF. This new method enables realistic simulations of large-scale systems that are needed to investigate the applications of self-assembled structures of lipids in nanotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J A Sevink
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - F Schmid
- Institut for Physik, Johannes Gutenberg Univeristat Mainz, Staudingerweg 7-9, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - T Kawakatsu
- Department of Physics, Tohoku University, Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - G Milano
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia, Universit degli Studi di Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo, Fisciano, Italy
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Vogiatzis GG, Theodorou DN. Multiscale Molecular Simulations of Polymer-Matrix Nanocomposites: or What Molecular Simulations Have Taught us About the Fascinating Nanoworld. ARCHIVES OF COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING : STATE OF THE ART REVIEWS 2017; 25:591-645. [PMID: 29962833 PMCID: PMC6003436 DOI: 10.1007/s11831-016-9207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Following the substantial progress in molecular simulations of polymer-matrix nanocomposites, now is the time to reconsider this topic from a critical point of view. A comprehensive survey is reported herein providing an overview of classical molecular simulations, reviewing their major achievements in modeling polymer matrix nanocomposites, and identifying several open challenges. Molecular simulations at multiple length and time scales, working hand-in-hand with sensitive experiments, have enhanced our understanding of how nanofillers alter the structure, dynamics, thermodynamics, rheology and mechanical properties of the surrounding polymer matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios G. Vogiatzis
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece
- Present Address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Doros N. Theodorou
- School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece
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Wan X, Gao T, Zhang L, Lin J. Ordering kinetics of lamella-forming block copolymers under the guidance of various external fields studied by dynamic self-consistent field theory. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017; 19:6707-6720. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp08726d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We theoretically engineer a new scheme, which integrates a permanent field for pattern registration and a dynamic external field for defect annihilation, to direct the self-assembly of block copolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Wan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
| | - Tong Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
| | - Liangshun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- East China University of Science and Technology
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25
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Cong Z, Zhang L, Wang L, Lin J. Understanding the ordering mechanisms of self-assembled nanostructures of block copolymers during zone annealing. J Chem Phys 2016; 144:114901. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4943864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhinan Cong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, 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
| | - Liangshun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, 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
| | - Liquan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, 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
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, 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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26
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Cao X, Zhang L, Wang L, Lin J. Insights into ordered microstructures and ordering mechanisms of ABC star terpolymers by integrating dynamic self-consistent field theory and variable cell shape methods. SOFT MATTER 2014; 10:5916-5927. [PMID: 24985482 DOI: 10.1039/c4sm00658e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A theoretical approach coupling dynamic self-consistent field (SCF) theory for inhomogeneous polymeric fluids and variable cell shape (VCS) method for automatically adjusting cell shape and size is developed to investigate ordered microstructures and the ordering mechanisms of block copolymer melts. Using this simulation method, we first re-examined the microphase separation of the simplest AB diblock copolymers, and tested the validity and efficiency of the novel method by comparing the results with those obtained from the dynamic SCF theory. An appropriate relaxation parameter of the VCS method effectively accelerates the system towards a stable morphology without distortions or defects. The dynamic SCF/VCS method is then applied to identify the richness morphologies of ABC star terpolymers and explore the ordering mechanisms of star terpolymer melts quenched from homogenous states. A diverse range of ordered microstructures, including two-dimensional tiling patterns, hierarchical structures and ordinary microstructures, are predicted. Three types of ordering mechanisms, namely, one-step, quick-slow and step-wise procedures, are discovered in the disorder-to-order transition of ABC star terpolymers. The procedures of microphase separation in the ABC star terpolymer melts are remarkably affected by the composition of star terpolymers and the strength of interaction parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuguang Cao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, 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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27
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Zhang L, Wang L, Lin J. Harnessing Anisotropic Nanoposts to Enhance Long-Range Orientation Order of Directed Self-Assembly Nanostructures via Large Cell Simulations. ACS Macro Lett 2014; 3:712-716. [PMID: 35590714 DOI: 10.1021/mz5003257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembly behaviors of cylinder-forming diblock copolymers directed by an array of anisotropic nanoposts with elliptical shape are explored by large cell simulations of self-consistent field theory. The strategy using elliptical nanoposts allows us to generate long-range order cylinders with single orientation by suppressing other selections of cylinder alignment. The anisotropy of nanoposts plays a significant role in improving the tolerance of commensurability conditions between the dimensions of nanopost lattices and the period of cylinders. Moreover, the local defect structures could be regulated through varying the spacing and orientation of elliptical nanoposts. This work may provide useful guidelines for designing the topographical templates and lay the groundwork for fabricating well-ordered nanostructures of block copolymer lithography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangshun Zhang
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of
Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering,
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
| | - Liquan Wang
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of
Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering,
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
| | - Jiaping Lin
- Shanghai
Key Laboratory of
Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering,
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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28
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Wang Y, Li B, Jin H, Zhou Y, Lu Z, Yan D. Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation Study on Vesicles Self-Assembled from Amphiphilic Hyperbranched Multiarm Copolymers. Chem Asian J 2014; 9:2281-8. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201402146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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29
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Schmid F. Self-consistent field approach for cross-linked copolymer materials. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2013; 111:028303. [PMID: 23889451 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.111.028303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A generalized self-consistent field approach for polymer networks with a fixed topology is developed. It is shown that the theory reproduces the localization of cross-links, which is characteristic for gels. The theory is then used to study the order-disorder transition in regular networks of end-linked diblock copolymers. Compared to diblock copolymer melts, the transition is shifted towards lower values of the incompatibility parameter χ (the Flory-Huggins parameter). Moreover, the transition becomes strongly first order already at the mean-field level. If stress is applied, the transition is further shifted and finally vanishes in a critical point.
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30
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31
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Zhu Y, Liu L, Du J. Probing into Homopolymer Self-Assembly: How Does Hydrogen Bonding Influence Morphology? Macromolecules 2012. [DOI: 10.1021/ma302176a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yunqing Zhu
- School of
Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804,
China
| | - Lin Liu
- School of
Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804,
China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- School of
Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804,
China
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