Novel Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline and Redox-Active Complexes of Ionically Self-Assembled Poly(ferrocenylsilane) and Dendritic Amphiphiles

Supramolecular Thermotropic Ionic Liquid Crystals Formed via Self-Assembled Zwitterionic Ionic Liquids

Supramolecular thermotropic ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) with hexagonal and lamellar phases were fabricated by the self-assembly of zwitterionic ionic liquids, which were formed by 3-(1-alkyl-3-imidazolio) propanesulfonate with different alkyl chain lengths C _nIPS ( n = 12, 14, 16) and 3,4,5-tris(dodecyloxy)benzoic acid (TDBA) based on intermolecular electrostatic interactions. The phase behaviors of ILCs were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and polarized optical microscopy (POM). The highly ordered and well-defined microstructure of ILCs can be considered to be proton pathways and to radically improve the ionic conductivity, suggesting the induction of proton conduction through a hopping mechanism.

Ionic-surfactants-based thermotropic liquid crystals

Ionic surfactants can be combined with various functional groups through electrostatic interaction, resulting in a series of thermotropic liquid crystals (TLCs).

Electroactive Amphiphiles for Addressable Supramolecular Nanostructures

In this focus review we aim to highlight an exciting class of materials, electroactive amphiphiles (EAAs). This class of functional amphiphilic molecules has been the subject of sporadic investigations over the last few decades, but little attempt has been made to date to gather or organise these investigations into a logical fashion. Here we attempted to gather the most important contributions, provide a framework in which to discuss them, and, more importantly, point towards the areas where we believe these EAAs will contribute to solving wider scientific problems and open new opportunities. Our discussions cover materials based on low molecular weight ferrocenes, viologens and anilines, as well as examples of polymeric and supramolecular EAAs. With the advances of modern analytical techniques and new tools for modelling and understanding optoelectronic properties, we believe that this area of research is ready for further exploration and exploitation.

Self-assembly of liquid crystalline polyethyleneimines bearing cholesteryl mesogens and ionic groups

Nanostructured liquid crystals based on poly(ethyleneimine)s produce SmA and bicontinuous cubic structures, and the cubic phase improves the electrorheological effect.

Solvent Effects on the Structure-Property Relationship of Redox-Active Self-Assembled Nanoparticle-Polyelectrolyte-Surfactant Composite Thin Films: Implications for the Generation of Bioelectrocatalytic Signals in Enzyme-Containing Assemblies

The search for strategies to improve the performance of bioelectrochemical platforms based on supramolecular materials has received increasing attention within the materials science community, where the main objective is to develop low-cost and flexible routes using self-assembly as a key enabling process. Important contributions to the performance of such bioelectrochemical devices have been made based on the integration and supramolecular organization of redox-active polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes on electrode supports. Here, we examine the influence of the processing solvent on the interplay between the supramolecular mesoorganization and the bioelectrochemical properties of redox-active self-assembled nanoparticle-polyelectrolyte-surfactant nanocomposite thin films. Our studies reveal that the solvent used in processing the supramolecular films and the presence of metal nanoparticles not only have a substantial influence in determining the mesoscale organization and morphological characteristics of the film but also have a strong influence on the efficiency and performance of the bioelectrochemical system. In particular, a higher bioelectrochemical response is observed when nanocomposite supramolecular films were cast from aqueous solutions. These observations seem to be associated with the fact that the use of aqueous solvents increases the hydrophilicity of the film, thus favoring the access of glucose, particularly at low concentrations. We believe that these results improve our current understanding of supramolecular nanocomposite materials generated via polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes, in order to use the processing conditions as a variable to improve the performance of bioelectrochemical devices.

Polyferrocenylsilanes: synthesis, properties, and applications

This comprehensive review covers polyferrocenylsilanes (PFSs), a well-established, readily accessible class of main chain organosilicon metallopolymer. The focus is on the recent advances involving PFS homopolymers and block copolymers and the article covers the synthesis, properties, and applications of these fascinating materials.

Dendronized supramolecular polymers

Supramolecular polymers from dendritic motifs combine the dynamic nature of supramolecular construction and inherent features from covalent dendronized polymers.

A complex of poly(4-vinylpyridine) and tolane based hemi-phasmid benzoic acid: towards luminescent supramolecular side-chain liquid crystalline polymers

A luminescent supramolecular polymer based on P4VP and a tolane based hemi-phasmid benzoic acid forms Sm and Col_h phases at different compositions and the luminescent properties depend on the phase structures.