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Xiang Z, Wang H, Zhao P, Fa X, Wan J, Wang Y, Xu C, Yao S, Zhao W, Zhang H, Han M. Hard Magnetic Graphene Nanocomposite for Multimodal, Reconfigurable Soft Electronics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308575. [PMID: 38153331 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Soft electronics provide effective means for continuous monitoring of a diverse set of biophysical and biochemical signals from the human body. However, the sensitivities, functions, spatial distributions, and many other features of such sensors remain fixed after deployment and cannot be adjusted on demand. Here, laser-induced porous graphene is exploited as the sensing material, and dope it with permanent magnetic particles to create hard magnetic graphene nanocomposite (HMGN) that can self-assemble onto a flexible carrying substrate through magnetic force, in a reversible and reconfigurable manner. A set of soft electronics in HMGN exhibits enhanced performances in the measurements of electrophysiological signals, temperature, and concentrations of metabolites. All these flexible HMGN sensors can adhere to a carrying substrate at any position and in any spatial arrangement, to allow for wearable sensing with customizable sensitivity, modality, and spatial coverage. The HMGN represents a promising material for constructing soft electronics that can be reconfigured for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Xiang
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Haobin Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Pengcheng Zhao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xinying Fa
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ji Wan
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yaozheng Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chen Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Shenglian Yao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Cardiology and Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Haixia Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits, School of Integrated Circuits, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Mengdi Han
- National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Micro/Nano Fabrication, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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2
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Kato T, Uchida J, Ishii Y, Watanabe G. Aquatic Functional Liquid Crystals: Design, Functionalization, and Molecular Simulation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306529. [PMID: 38126650 PMCID: PMC10885670 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic functional liquid crystals, which are ordered molecular assemblies that work in water environment, are described in this review. Aquatic functional liquid crystals are liquid-crystalline (LC) materials interacting water molecules or aquatic environment. They include aquatic lyotropic liquid crystals and LC based materials that have aquatic interfaces, for example, nanoporous water treatment membranes that are solids preserving LC order. They can remove ions and viruses with nano- and subnano-porous structures. Columnar, smectic, bicontinuous LC structures are used for fabrication of these 1D, 2D, 3D materials. Design and functionalization of aquatic LC sensors based on aqueous/LC interfaces are also described. The ordering transitions of liquid crystals induced by molecular recognition at the aqueous interfaces provide distinct optical responses. Molecular orientation and dynamic behavior of these aquatic functional LC materials are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The molecular interactions of LC materials and water are key of these investigations. New insights into aquatic functional LC materials contribute to the fields of environment, healthcare, and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan
| | - Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Ishii
- Department of Data Science, School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Go Watanabe
- Department of Data Science, School of Frontier Engineering, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, 252-0373, Japan
- Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (KISTEC), Ebina, 243-0435, Japan
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3
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Bagchi K, Emeršič T, Martínez-González JA, de Pablo JJ, Nealey PF. Functional soft materials from blue phase liquid crystals. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh9393. [PMID: 37494446 PMCID: PMC10371026 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Blue phase (BP) liquid crystals are chiral fluids wherein millions of molecules self-assemble into cubic lattices that are on the order of hundred nanometers. As the unit cell sizes of BPs are comparable to the wavelength of light, they exhibit selective Bragg reflections in the visible. The exploitation of the photonic properties of BPs for technological applications is made possible through photopolymerization, a process that renders mechanical robustness and thermal stability. We review here the preparation and characterization of stimuli-responsive, polymeric photonic crystals based on BPs. We highlight recent studies that demonstrate the promise that polymerized BP photonic crystals hold for colorimetric sensing and dynamic light control. We review using Landau-de Gennes simulations for predicting the self-assembly of BPs and the potential for using theory to guide experimental design. Finally, opportunities for using BPs to synthesize new soft materials, such as highly structured polymer meshes, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushal Bagchi
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tadej Emeršič
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - José A Martínez-González
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, San Luis Potosí 78210 SLP, Mexico
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
| | - Paul F Nealey
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
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4
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Gu S, Zhang L, de Campo L, O'Dell LA, Wang D, Wang G, Kong L. Lyotropic Liquid Crystal (LLC)-Templated Nanofiltration Membranes by Precisely Administering LLC/Substrate Interfacial Structure. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:549. [PMID: 37367753 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13060549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Mesoporous materials based on lyotropic liquid crystal templates with precisely defined and flexible nanostructures offer an alluring solution to the age-old challenge of water scarcity. In contrast, polyamide (PA)-based thin-film composite (TFC) membranes have long been hailed as the state of the art in desalination. They grapple with a common trade-off between permeability and selectivity. However, the tides are turning as these novel materials, with pore sizes ranging from 0.2 to 5 nm, take center stage as highly coveted active layers in TFC membranes. With the ability to regulate water transport and influence the formation of the active layer, the middle porous substrate of TFC membranes becomes an essential player in unlocking their true potential. This review delves deep into the recent advancements in fabricating active layers using lyotropic liquid crystal templates on porous substrates. It meticulously analyzes the retention of the liquid crystal phase structure, explores the membrane fabrication processes, and evaluates the water filtration performance. Additionally, it presents an exhaustive comparison between the effects of substrates on both polyamide and lyotropic liquid crystal template top layer-based TFC membranes, covering crucial aspects such as surface pore structures, hydrophilicity, and heterogeneity. To push the boundaries even further, the review explores a diverse array of promising strategies for surface modification and interlayer introduction, all aimed at achieving an ideal substrate surface design. Moreover, it delves into the realm of cutting-edge techniques for detecting and unraveling the intricate interfacial structures between the lyotropic liquid crystal and the substrate. This review is a passport to unravel the enigmatic world of lyotropic liquid crystal-templated TFC membranes and their transformative role in global water challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senlin Gu
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Liangliang Zhang
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Liliana de Campo
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australia Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO), Sydney, NSW 2234, Australia
| | - Luke A O'Dell
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Dong Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials & Application, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Intelligent Textile Materials & Application, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Spallation Neutron Source Science Centre, Dongguan 523803, China
| | - Lingxue Kong
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
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5
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Fang Y, Yang Y, Xu R, Liang M, Mou Q, Chen S, Kim J, Jin LY, Lee M, Huang Z. Hierarchical porous photosensitizers with efficient photooxidation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2503. [PMID: 37130853 PMCID: PMC10154327 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38283-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Photosensitizers (PSs) with nano- or micro-sized pore provide a great promise in the conversion of light energy into chemical fuel due to the excellent promotion for transporting singlet oxygen (1O2) into active sites. Despite such hollow PSs can be achieved by introducing molecular-level PSs into porous skeleton, however, the catalytic efficiency is far away from imagination because of the problems with pore deformation and blocking. Here, very ordered porous PSs with excellent 1O2 generation are presented from cross-linking of hierarchical porous laminates originated by co-assembly of hydrogen donative PSs and functionalized acceptor. The catalytic performance strongly depends on the preformed porous architectures, which is regulated by special recognition of hydrogen binding. As the increasing of hydrogen acceptor quantities, 2D-organized PSs laminates gradually transform into uniformly perforated porous layers with highly dispersed molecular PSs. The premature termination by porous assembly endows superior activity as well as specific selectivity for the photo-oxidative degradation, which contributes to efficient purification in aryl-bromination without any postprocessing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Fang
- PCFM and LIFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P.R. China
| | - Yuntian Yang
- PCFM and LIFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P.R. China
- Department of Chemistry, National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Chemistry Education, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, P.R. China
| | - Rui Xu
- PCFM and LIFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P.R. China
| | - Mingyun Liang
- PCFM and LIFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P.R. China
| | - Qi Mou
- PCFM and LIFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P.R. China
| | - Shuixia Chen
- PCFM and LIFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P.R. China
| | - Jehan Kim
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, Postech, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, Korea
| | - Long Yi Jin
- Department of Chemistry, National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Chemistry Education, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, P.R. China
| | - Myongsoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, P.R. China
| | - Zhegang Huang
- PCFM and LIFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P.R. China.
- Department of Chemistry, National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Chemistry Education, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, P.R. China.
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6
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Jennings J, Pabst G. Multiple Routes to Bicontinuous Cubic Liquid Crystal Phases Discovered by High-Throughput Self-Assembly Screening of Multi-Tail Lipidoids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2206747. [PMID: 37026678 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Bicontinuous cubic phases offer advantageous routes to a broad range of applied materials ranging from drug delivery devices to membranes. However, a priori design of molecules that assemble into these phases remains a technological challenge. In this article, a high-throughput synthesis of lipidoids that undergo protonation-driven self-assembly (PrSA) into liquid crystalline (LC) phases is conducted. With this screening approach, 12 different multi-tail lipidoid structures capable of assembling into the bicontinuous double gyroid phase are discovered. The large volume of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data uncovers unexpected design criteria that enable phase selection as a function of lipidoid headgroup size and architecture, tail length and architecture, and counterion identity. Surprisingly, combining branched headgroups with bulky tails forces lipidoids to adopt unconventional pseudo-disc conformations that pack into double gyroid networks, entirely distinct from other synthetic or biological amphiphiles within bicontinuous cubic phases. From a multitude of possible applications, two examples of functional materials from lipidoid liquid crystals are demonstrated. First, the fabrication of gyroid nanostructured films by interfacial PrSA, which are rapidly responsive to the external medium. Second, it is shown that colloidally-dispersed lipidoid cubosomes, for example, for drug delivery, are easily assembled using top-down solvent evaporation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Jennings
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria
| | - Georg Pabst
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth, University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria
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7
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Wu CH, Meng W, Iakoubovskii K, Yoshio M. Photocured Liquid-Crystalline Polymer Electrolytes with 3D Ion Transport Pathways for Electromechanical Actuators. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:4495-4504. [PMID: 36646628 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c19382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembly of ionic molecules into hierarchical ordered structures is a promising route to new types of solid electrolytes with enhanced ion transport. Herein, we report a liquid-crystalline polymer electrolyte membrane that contains three-dimensionally (3D) interconnected ionic pathways. To build this membrane, we used wedge-shaped amphiphilic molecules that have two ionic heads and a lipophilic tail. These molecules were combined with a low content of ionic liquid (5.6 wt %) to form a hexagonal columnar phase, where the self-assembled lipophilic cylinders were surrounded by the ionic shell. Photopolymerization of this phase produced flexible nanostructured films with 3D ionic pathways, which can serve as an electrolyte layer in soft robotic actuators. Ionic transport in the 3D pathways leads to shape memory capability as well as durable bending actuation with a voltage-controllable blocking force. Furthermore, we find a significant enhancement of actuation for the nanostructured electrolyte compared with the corresponding amorphous electrolyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Hao Wu
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-0047, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido060-8628, Japan
| | - Wenjing Meng
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-0047, Japan
| | - Konstantin Iakoubovskii
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-0047, Japan
| | - Masafumi Yoshio
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-0047, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido060-8628, Japan
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8
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Hamaguchi K, Lu H, Okamura S, Kajiyama S, Uchida J, Sato S, Watanabe G, Ishii Y, Washizu H, Ungar G, Kato T. Reentrant 2D Nanostructured Liquid Crystals by Competition between Molecular Packing and Conformation: Potential Design for Multistep Switching of Ionic Conductivity. Chemphyschem 2023; 24:e202200927. [PMID: 36594677 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202200927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Reentrant phenomena in soft matter and biosystems have attracted considerable attention because their properties are closely related to high functionality. Here, we report a combined experimental and computational study on the self-assembly and reentrant behavior of a single-component thermotropic smectic liquid crystal toward the realization of dynamically functional materials. We have designed and synthesized a mesogenic molecule consisting of an alicyclic trans,trans-bicyclohexyl mesogen and a polar cyclic carbonate group connected by a flexible tetra(oxyethylene) spacer. The molecule exhibits an unprecedented sequence of layered smectic phases, in the order: smectic A-smectic B-reentrant smectic A. Electron density profiles and large-scale molecular dynamics simulations indicate that competition between the stacking of bicyclohexyl mesogens and the conformational flexibility of tetra(oxyethylene) chains induces this unusual reentrant behavior. Ion-conductive reentrant liquid-crystalline materials have been developed, which undergo the multistep conductivity changes in response to temperature. The reentrant liquid crystals have potential as new mesogenic materials exhibiting switching functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Hamaguchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Huanjun Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Heat Fluid Flow Technology and Energy Application School of Physical Science and Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Shota Okamura
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kajiyama
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Sato
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Kitasato University Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Go Watanabe
- Department of Physics, School of Science, Kitasato University Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Ishii
- Graduate School of Information Science, University of Hyogo Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Washizu
- Graduate School of Information Science, University of Hyogo Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Goran Ungar
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials Shaanxi International Research Center for Soft Matter, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University Wakasato, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan
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9
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Chen XC, Zhang H, Liu SH, Zhou Y, Jiang L. Engineering Polymeric Nanofluidic Membranes for Efficient Ionic Transport: Biomimetic Design, Material Construction, and Advanced Functionalities. ACS NANO 2022; 16:17613-17640. [PMID: 36322865 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c07641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Design elements extracted from biological ion channels guide the engineering of artificial nanofluidic membranes for efficient ionic transport and spawn biomimetic devices with great potential in many cutting-edge areas. In this context, polymeric nanofluidic membranes can be especially attractive because of their inherent flexibility and benign processability, which facilitate massive fabrication and facile device integration for large-scale applications. Herein, the state-of-the-art achievements of polymeric nanofluidic membranes are systematically summarized. Theoretical fundamentals underlying both biological and synthetic ion channels are introduced. The advances of engineering polymeric nanofluidic membranes are then detailed from aspects of structural design, material construction, and chemical functionalization, emphasizing their broad chemical and reticular/topological variety as well as considerable property tunability. After that, this Review expands on examples of evolving these polymeric membranes into macroscopic devices and their potentials in addressing compelling issues in energy conversion and storage systems where efficient ion transport is highly desirable. Finally, a brief outlook on possible future developments in this field is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia-Chao Chen
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou310018, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou310018, P. R. China
| | - Sheng-Hua Liu
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou310018, P. R. China
| | - Yahong Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, P. R. China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, P. R. China
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10
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Priming self-assembly pathways by stacking block copolymers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6947. [PMID: 36376380 PMCID: PMC9663688 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34729-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Block copolymers spontaneously self-assemble into well-defined nanoscale morphologies. Yet equilibrium assembly gives rise to a limited set of structures. Non-equilibrium strategies can, in principle, expand diversity by exploiting self-assembly's responsive nature. In this vein, we developed a pathway priming strategy combining control of thin film initial configurations and ordering history. We sequentially coat distinct materials to form prescribed initial states, and use thermal annealing to evolve these manifestly non-equilibrium states through the assembly landscape, traversing normally inaccessible transient structures. We explore the enormous associated hyperspace, spanning processing (annealing temperature and time), material (composition and molecular weight), and layering (thickness and order) dimensions. We demonstrate a library of exotic non-native morphologies, including vertically-oriented perforated lamellae, aqueduct structures (vertical lamellar walls with substrate-pinned perforations), parapets (crenellated lamellae), and networks of crisscrossing lamellae. This enhanced structural control can be used to modify functional properties, including accessing regimes that surpass their equilibrium analogs.
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11
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Li X, Wang Z, Hong C, Feng F, Yu K, Liu H. Geometry-Modulated Self-Assembly Structures of Covalent Polyoxometalate–Polymer Hybrid in Bulk and Thin-Film States. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqian Li
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Ze Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Chengyang Hong
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Fengfeng Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Kun Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Hao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
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12
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Zhu Q, Liu Y, Zuo P, Dong Y, Yang Z, Xu T. An isoporous ion exchange membrane for selective Na+ transport. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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13
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Cao S, Aimi J, Yoshio M. Electroactive Soft Actuators Based on Columnar Ionic Liquid Crystal/Polymer Composite Membrane Electrolytes Forming 3D Continuous Ionic Channels. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:43701-43710. [PMID: 36044399 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report low-voltage-driven fast-response nanostructured columnar ionic liquid crystal/polymer composite actuators that form three-dimensional continuous ion channels. A three-component self-assembly of a zwitterionic rod-like molecule (49.5 wt %), an ionic liquid (27.5 wt %), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (23.0 wt %) provided a free-standing stretchable membrane electrolyte. The dissociated ions can move through a continuous 3D ionophilic matrix surrounding the hydrophobic columns formed by the hexagonally organized rod-mesogens. Three-layer actuators composed of the electrolyte film sandwiched between two conductive polymer film electrodes of doped polythiophene exhibited a bending motion with 0.32% strain and moved 2 mm within 220 ms under 1 V at 0.1 Hz in 70% relative humidity due to the formation of electric double layers at the soft solid electrolyte/electrode interfaces. The bending strain of the columnar nanostructured actuator is comparable to those of polymer iongel actuators and block polymer actuators containing 25-80 wt % of ionic liquids. It is noteworthy that a small number of ions organized into the 3D nanochannels can generate the large bending deformation, which can contribute to reduce the risk of leakage of ions and the production cost. In addition, we have demonstrated a low-voltage-driven deformable mirror actuator that is expected to be applied to optical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Cao
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
| | - Junko Aimi
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
| | - Masafumi Yoshio
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
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14
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Bruckner EP, Curk T, Đorđević L, Wang Z, Yang Y, Qiu R, Dannenhoffer AJ, Sai H, Kupferberg J, Palmer LC, Luijten E, Stupp SI. Hybrid Nanocrystals of Small Molecules and Chemically Disordered Polymers. ACS NANO 2022; 16:8993-9003. [PMID: 35588377 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c00266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Organic crystals formed by small molecules can be highly functional but are often brittle or insoluble structures with limited possibilities for use or processing from a liquid phase. A possible solution is the nanoscale integration of polymers into organic crystals without sacrificing long-range order and therefore function. This enables the organic crystals to benefit from the advantageous mechanical and chemical properties of the polymeric component. We report here on a strategy in which small molecules cocrystallize with side chains of chemically disordered polymers to create hybrid nanostructures containing a highly ordered lattice. Synchrotron X-ray scattering, absorption spectroscopy, and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the polymer backbones form an "exo-crystalline" layer of disordered chains that wrap around the nanostructures, becoming a handle for interesting properties. The morphology of this "hybrid bonding polymer" nanostructure is dictated by the competition between the polymers' entropy and the enthalpy of the lattice allowing for control over the aspect ratio of the nanocrystal by changing the degree of polymer integration. We observed that nanostructures with an exo-crystalline layer of polymer exhibit enhanced fracture strength, self-healing capacity, and dispersion in water, which benefits their use as light-harvesting assemblies in photocatalysis. Guided by computation, future work could further explore these hybrid nanostructures as components for functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P Bruckner
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Tine Curk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Luka Đorđević
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Ziwei Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Yang Yang
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Ruomeng Qiu
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Adam J Dannenhoffer
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Hiroaki Sai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Jacob Kupferberg
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Liam C Palmer
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Erik Luijten
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Samuel I Stupp
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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15
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Rattanakawin P, Yoshimoto K, Hikima Y, Nagamine S, Jiang Y, Tosaka M, Yamago S, Ohshima M. Control of the Cell Structure of UV-Induced Chemically Blown Nanocellular Foams by Self-Assembled Block Copolymer Morphology. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenji Yoshimoto
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Yuta Hikima
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nagamine
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Yuhan Jiang
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Tosaka
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Shigeru Yamago
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ohshima
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
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16
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Uchida J, Soberats B, Gupta M, Kato T. Advanced Functional Liquid Crystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2109063. [PMID: 35034382 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202109063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals have been intensively studied as functional materials. Recently, integration of various disciplines has led to new directions in the design of functional liquid-crystalline materials in the fields of energy, water, photonics, actuation, sensing, and biotechnology. Here, recent advances in functional liquid crystals based on polymers, supramolecular complexes, gels, colloids, and inorganic-based hybrids are reviewed, from design strategies to functionalization of these materials and interfaces. New insights into liquid crystals provided by significant progress in advanced measurements and computational simulations, which enhance new design and functionalization of liquid-crystalline materials, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Uchida
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Bartolome Soberats
- Department of Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands, Cra. Valldemossa Km. 7.5, Palma de Mallorca, 07122, Spain
| | - Monika Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University, Wakasato, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan
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17
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Zhang W, Yang W, Pan H, Lyu X, Xiao A, Liu D, Liu Y, Shen Z, Yang H, Fan XH. Ordered structure constructed from C2-symmetric hexa- peri-hexabenzocoronene linked with oligo(dimethylsiloxane). SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3430-3436. [PMID: 35437558 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00059h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The preparation of sub-5-nm ordered structures is very important to the development of today's nanotechnology. Block molecules have the potential to form structures with significantly small characteristic dimensions. Herein two novel organic-inorganic block molecules composed of a hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) core and two oligo(dimethylsiloxane) (ODMS) tails with C2 symmetry are reported. A hierarchical lamello-columnar structure with a two-dimensional rectangular lattice where HBC cores adopt a tilted arrangement was obtained from their bulk self-assembly. The feature sizes are all below 5 nm and can be regulated via the number of ODMS chains. Sub-5-nm line structures were obtained through spin-coating of the block molecules onto silicon substrates modified with poly(dimethylsiloxane). As organic-inorganic hybrid materials, these block molecules may be further applied in sub-5-nm nanopatterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Weilu Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Hongbing Pan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Xiaolin Lyu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Anqi Xiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Dong Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Yun Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, 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, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Huai Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Xing-He Fan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, and College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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18
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Chen Y, Chang HY, Lee MT, Yang ZR, Wang CH, Wu KY, Chuang WT, Wang CL. Dual-Axis Alignment of Bulk Artificial Water Channels by Directional Water-Induced Self-Assembly. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:7768-7777. [PMID: 35417167 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Approaching single-crystal-like morphology has always been important in driving materials toward their optimal properties. With only orientational order, liquid crystal (LC) materials require dual-axis orientational control to optimize their structural order in the bulk phase. However, current external guiding fields such as electrical, magnetic, and mechanical guiding fields are less effective in aligning amphiphilic LCs. In this study, water is developed as an excellent structural stabilizer and orientation-directing agent of an amphiphilic discotic molecule (AD) in the water-induced self-assembly (WISA) process. Thermal analysis and structural characterization results show that water increases the stability and domain sizes of the hexagonal columnar (Colh) phase of the AD by co-assembling with the ADs to form bulk artificial water channels (AWCs). Moreover, through control over the nucleation conditions (degree of supercooling and location of nucleation), dual-axis alignment in both the planar and vertical growth of the AWCs is achieved by applying water as the guiding field in the directional WISA. With precise control over the hierarchical structures, the bulk AWC array of the AD delivers excellent salt rejection properties and water permeability. Considering that all the amphiphilic LCs have hydrophilic segments, these new roles of water in the WISA process could launch the further development of functional amphiphilic LCs by providing a dynamic interaction and a readily available guiding field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Yen Chang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Tzu Lee
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Zong-Ren Yang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsin Wang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yi Wu
- Department of Textile Engineering, Chinese Culture University, 55 Hwa-Kang Road, Yang-Ming-Shan, Taipei 11114, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Tsung Chuang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, 101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu 30076, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Lung Wang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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19
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Zhang Y, Kim D, Dong R, Feng X, Osuji CO. Tunable organic solvent nanofiltration in self-assembled membranes at the sub-1 nm scale. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm5899. [PMID: 35294234 PMCID: PMC8926336 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm5899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic solvent-stable membranes exhibiting strong selectivity and high permeance have the potential to transform energy utilization in chemical separation processes. A key goal is developing materials with uniform, well-defined pores at the 1-nm scale, with sizes that can be tuned in small increments with high fidelity. Here, we demonstrate a class of organic solvent-stable nanoporous membranes derived from self-assembled liquid crystal mesophases that display such characteristics and elucidate their transport properties. The transport-regulating dimensions are defined by the mesophase geometry and can be controlled in increments of ~0.1 nm by modifying the chemical structure of the mesogen or the composition of the mesophase. The highly ordered nanostructure affords previously unidentified opportunities for the systematic design of organic solvent nanofiltration membranes with tailored selectivity and permeability and for understanding and modeling rejection in nanoscale flows. Hence, these membranes represent progress toward the goal of enabling precise organic solvent nanofiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, Ministry of Education, and School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dahin Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ruiqi Dong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xunda Feng
- Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Chinedum O. Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Corresponding author.
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20
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Zeng H, Liang T, Zhang H, Wang Y, Wen J, Yu HR, Cheng C. Anisotropic Dyes Adsorption by Templated Smectic Nanoporous Polymer Films: Pore Size vs Pore Charges Affecting the Adsorption. NEW J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2nj01350a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Selective 2-dimentional (2D) nanoporous polymer films have been developed by a templating method based on hydrogen-bonding supramolecular liquid crystals (LCs) containing benzoic acid and pyridine groups (6OBA·NC6·C6H). The smectic lamellar...
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21
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Houben SJA, Kloos J, Borneman Z, Schenning APHJ. Switchable gas permeability of a polypropylene‐liquid crystalline composite film. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon J. A. Houben
- Laboratory of Stimuli‐responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven Manitoba The Netherlands
| | - Joey Kloos
- Membrane Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven Manitoba The Netherlands
| | - Zandrie Borneman
- Membrane Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven Manitoba The Netherlands
| | - Albert P. H. J. Schenning
- Laboratory of Stimuli‐responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven Manitoba The Netherlands
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22
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Xu Y, Yu Y, Yang Y, Sun T, Dong S, Yang H, Liu Y, Fan X, Song C. Improved separation performance of carbon nanotube hollow fiber membrane by peroxydisulfate activation. Sep Purif Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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23
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Lang C, Kumar M, Hickey RJ. Current status and future directions of self-assembled block copolymer membranes for molecular separations. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10405-10415. [PMID: 34768280 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01368h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One of the most efficient and promising separation alternatives to thermal methods such as distillation is the use of polymeric membranes that separate mixtures based on molecular size or chemical affinity. Self-assembled block copolymer membranes have gained considerable attention within the membrane field due to precise control over nanoscale structure, pore size, and chemical versatility. Despite the rapid progress and excitement, a significant hurdle in using block copolymer membranes for nanometer and sub-nanometer separations such as nanofiltration and reverse osmosis is the lower limit on domain size features. Strategies such as polymer post-functionalization, self-assembly of oligomers, liquid crystals, and random copolymers, or incorporation of artificial/natural channels within block copolymer materials are future directions with the potential to overcome current limitations with respect to separation size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Lang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16801, USA.
| | - Manish Kumar
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Robert J Hickey
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16801, USA.
- Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16801, USA
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24
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Liu N, Liu G, Raj A, Sohn S, Morales-Acosta MD, Liu J, Schroers J. Unleashing nanofabrication through thermomechanical nanomolding. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabi4567. [PMID: 34797709 PMCID: PMC8604398 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi4567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Advancements in nanotechnology require the development of nanofabrication methods for a wide range of materials, length scales, and elemental distributions. Today’s nanofabrication methods are typically missing at least one demanded characteristic. Hence, a general method enabling versatile nanofabrication remains elusive. Here, we show that, when revealing and using the underlying mechanisms of thermomechanical nanomolding, a highly versatile nanofabrication toolbox is the result. Specifically, we reveal interface diffusion and dislocation slip as the controlling mechanisms and use their transition to control, combine, and predict the ability to fabricate general materials, material combinations, and length scales. Designing specific elemental distributions is based on the relative diffusivities, the transition temperature, and the distribution of the materials in the feedstock. The mechanistic origins of thermomechanical nanomolding and their homologous temperature-dependent transition suggest a versatile toolbox capable of combining many materials in nanostructures and potentially producing any material in moldable shapes on the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naijia Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Guannan Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Arindam Raj
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Sungwoo Sohn
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | | | - Jingbei Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jan Schroers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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25
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Yan A, Sokolinski T, Lane W, Tan J, Ferris K, Ryan EM. Applying transfer learning with convolutional neural networks to identify novel electrolytes for metal air batteries. COMPUT THEOR CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.comptc.2021.113443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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26
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Towards a High-Flux Separation Layer from Hexagonal Lyotropic Liquid Crystals for Thin-Film Composite Membranes. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11110842. [PMID: 34832071 PMCID: PMC8624768 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11110842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystals (HLLC) with uniform pore size in the range of 1~5 nm are highly sought after as promising active separation layers of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes, which have been confirmed to be efficient for water purification. The potential interaction between an amphiphile-based HLLC layer and the substrate surface, however, has not been fully explored. In this research, hydrophilic and hydrophobic microporous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) substrates were chosen, respectively, to prepare TFC membranes with the active layers templated from HLLC, consisting of dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, water, and a mixture of poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The pore size of the active layer was found to decrease by about 1.6 Å compared to that of the free-standing HLLC after polymerization, but no significant difference was observable by using either hydrophilic or hydrophobic substrates (26.9 Å vs. 27.1 Å). The water flux of the TFC membrane with the hydrophobic substrate, however, was higher than that with the hydrophilic one. A further investigation confirmed that the increase in water flux originated from a much higher porosity was due to the synergistic effect of the hydrophilic HLLC nanoporous material and the hydrophobic substrate.
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27
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Wang G, Garvey CJ, Gu S, Gao W, O'Dell LA, Krause-Heuer AM, Darwish TA, Zhigunov A, Tong X, Kong L. Controlling phase and rheological behaviours of hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline templates for nanostructural administration and retention. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 607:816-825. [PMID: 34534768 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Introducing polymerizable monomers into a binary hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) template is a straightforward way for retaining the nanostructure but will decrease attractive intra- and inter- aggregate interactions. It is therefore crucial to understand the interfacial interactions at nanoscale after introducing the monomers but prior to polymerization. Herein, active species, poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), were introduced into hexagonal LLC of dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide and water to explore the structural variables, dimensional stability, and dynamic property. At a proper volume ratio of PEGDA/HEMA (1/4), the system presents excellent homogeneity with a higher dimensional stability and lower dynamic property from rheological assessments, thereby achieving robust, free-standing, and transparent membranes after photo-polymerization. The unique property of the system also lies in the much lower order-disorder transition temperature (45 °C) that facilitates the reorientation of mesochannels. They are in contrast inaccessible for the ternary system only with PEGDA, though the nanostructure for both systems could be retained. An insight into subtle variations in these parameters allows us to prepare a polymerizable template possessing higher dimensional stability and suitable flexibility via molecular design, thereby enabling simultaneous structural alignment and retention for the development of functional nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Wang
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China; Spallation Neutron Source Science Centre, 523803, Dongguan, China; Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220, Australia; Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám.2, 162062, Prague 6, The Czech Republic.
| | - Christopher J Garvey
- Lund Institute for Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science, 223 70, Lund, Sweden; Biofilm-Research Center for Biointerfaces and Biomedical Science Department, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmo University, 211 19, Malmo, Sweden; Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany.
| | - Senlin Gu
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220, Australia.
| | - Weimin Gao
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220, Australia; School of Metallurgy and Energy, North China University of Science and Technology, 063600, Tangshan, China.
| | - Luke A O'Dell
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220, Australia.
| | - Anwen M Krause-Heuer
- National Deuteration Facility, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - Tamim A Darwish
- National Deuteration Facility, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - Alexander Zhigunov
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám.2, 162062, Prague 6, The Czech Republic.
| | - Xin Tong
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China; Spallation Neutron Source Science Centre, 523803, Dongguan, China.
| | - Lingxue Kong
- Deakin University, Geelong, Institute for Frontier Materials, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220, Australia.
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28
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DuChanois RM, Porter CJ, Violet C, Verduzco R, Elimelech M. Membrane Materials for Selective Ion Separations at the Water-Energy Nexus. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2101312. [PMID: 34396602 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202101312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic polymer membranes are enabling components in key technologies at the water-energy nexus, including desalination and energy conversion, because of their high water/salt selectivity or ionic conductivity. However, many applications at the water-energy nexus require ion selectivity, or separation of specific ionic species from other similar species. Here, the ion selectivity of conventional polymeric membrane materials is assessed and recent progress in enhancing selective transport via tailored free volume elements and ion-membrane interactions is described. In view of the limitations of polymeric membranes, three material classes-porous crystalline materials, 2D materials, and discrete biomimetic channels-are highlighted as possible candidates for ion-selective membranes owing to their molecular-level control over physical and chemical properties. Lastly, research directions and critical challenges for developing bioinspired membranes with molecular recognition are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M DuChanois
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8286, USA
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), 6100 Main Street, MS 6398, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Cassandra J Porter
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8286, USA
| | - Camille Violet
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8286, USA
| | - Rafael Verduzco
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), 6100 Main Street, MS 6398, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8286, USA
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), 6100 Main Street, MS 6398, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
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29
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Toth K, Bae S, Osuji CO, Yager KG, Doerk GS. Film Thickness and Composition Effects in Symmetric Ternary Block Copolymer/Homopolymer Blend Films: Domain Spacing and Orientation. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Toth
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Suwon Bae
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Chinedum O. Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kevin G. Yager
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Gregory S. Doerk
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
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30
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Rizvi A, Mulvey JT, Carpenter BP, Talosig R, Patterson JP. A Close Look at Molecular Self-Assembly with the Transmission Electron Microscope. Chem Rev 2021; 121:14232-14280. [PMID: 34329552 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Molecular self-assembly is pervasive in the formation of living and synthetic materials. Knowledge gained from research into the principles of molecular self-assembly drives innovation in the biological, chemical, and materials sciences. Self-assembly processes span a wide range of temporal and spatial domains and are often unintuitive and complex. Studying such complex processes requires an arsenal of analytical and computational tools. Within this arsenal, the transmission electron microscope stands out for its unique ability to visualize and quantify self-assembly structures and processes. This review describes the contribution that the transmission electron microscope has made to the field of molecular self-assembly. An emphasis is placed on which TEM methods are applicable to different structures and processes and how TEM can be used in combination with other experimental or computational methods. Finally, we provide an outlook on the current challenges to, and opportunities for, increasing the impact that the transmission electron microscope can have on molecular self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoon Rizvi
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Justin T Mulvey
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Brooke P Carpenter
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Rain Talosig
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Joseph P Patterson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
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31
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Shiohara A, Prieto-Simon B, Voelcker NH. Porous polymeric membranes: fabrication techniques and biomedical applications. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:2129-2154. [PMID: 33283821 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01727b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Porous polymeric membranes have shown great potential in biological and biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, bioseparation, and biosensing, due to their structural flexibility, versatile surface chemistry, and biocompatibility. This review outlines the advantages and limitations of the fabrication techniques commonly used to produce porous polymeric membranes, with especial focus on those featuring nano/submicron scale pores, which include track etching, nanoimprinting, block-copolymer self-assembly, and electrospinning. Recent advances in membrane technology have been key to facilitate precise control of pore size, shape, density and surface properties. The review provides a critical overview of the main biological and biomedical applications of these porous polymeric membranes, especially focusing on drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensing, and bioseparation. The effect of the membrane material and pore morphology on the role of the membranes for each specific application as well as the specific fabrication challenges, and future prospects of these membranes are thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amane Shiohara
- Drug Delivery, Deposition, and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia and Melbourne Centre of Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Beatriz Prieto-Simon
- Drug Delivery, Deposition, and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. and Department of Electronic Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain and ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Drug Delivery, Deposition, and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia and Melbourne Centre of Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
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32
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Rahman MM. Selective Swelling and Functionalization of Integral Asymmetric Isoporous Block Copolymer Membranes. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100235. [PMID: 34057263 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
SNIPS stands for a membrane fabrication technique that combines the evaporation induced self-assembly of the block copolymers and the classical nonsolvent induced phase separation. It is a one-step readily scalable technique to fabricate integral asymmetric isoporous membranes. The prominent developments in the last decade have carved out a niche for SNIPS as a potential technique to fabricate next generation isoporous membranes. In the last decade, a rich polymer library and variety of membrane postmodification routes have been successfully implemented to fabricate SNIPS membranes having the desired pore functionality. Some of these membranes form soft nanochannels in hydrated state due to swelling of the pore wall, i.e., the pore forming block of the block copolymer. These membranes having soft nanochannels have demonstrated the potential to perform several challenging separation tasks in ultrafiltration and nanofiltration. This paper highlights the currently accessible pore functionality, the strategies to tune the swelling of the soft nanochannels, the potential applications, and future perspectives of these membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mushfequr Rahman
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Membrane Research, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Geesthacht, 21502, Germany
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33
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Shen Z, Sun Y, Lodge TP, Siepmann JI. Development of a PointNet for Detecting Morphologies of Self-Assembled Block Oligomers in Atomistic Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:5275-5284. [PMID: 33989001 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Molecular simulations with atomistic or coarse-grained force fields are a powerful approach for understanding and predicting the self-assembly phase behavior of complex molecules. Amphiphiles, block oligomers, and block polymers can form mesophases with different ordered morphologies describing the spatial distribution of the blocks, but entirely amorphous nature for local packing and chain conformation. Screening block oligomer chemistry and architecture through molecular simulations to find promising candidates for functional materials is aided by effective and straightforward morphology identification techniques. Capturing 3-dimensional periodic structures, such as ordered network morphologies, is hampered by the requirement that the number of molecules in the simulated system and the shape of the periodic simulation box need to be commensurate with those of the resulting network phase. Common strategies for structure identification include structure factors and order parameters, but these fail to identify imperfect structures in simulations with incorrect system sizes. Building upon pioneering work by DeFever et al. [Chem. Sci. 2019, 10, 7503-7515] who implemented a PointNet (i.e., a neural network designed for computer vision applications using point clouds) to detect local structure in simulations of single-bead particles and water molecules, we present a PointNet for detection of nonlocal ordered morphologies of complex block oligomers. Our PointNet was trained using atomic coordinates from molecular dynamics simulation trajectories and synthetic point clouds for ordered network morphologies that were absent from previous simulations. In contrast to prior work on simple molecules, we observe that large point clouds with 1000 or more points are needed for the more complex block oligomers. The trained PointNet model achieves an accuracy as high as 0.99 for globally ordered morphologies formed by linear diblock, linear triblock, and 3-arm and 4-arm star-block oligomers, and it also allows for the discovery of emerging ordered patterns from nonequilibrium systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyuan Shen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0132, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431, United States.,Chemical Theory Center, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431, United States
| | - Yangzesheng Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431, United States.,Chemical Theory Center, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431, United States
| | - Timothy P Lodge
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0132, United States
| | - J Ilja Siepmann
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0132, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431, United States.,Chemical Theory Center, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0431, United States
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34
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Lee J, Seo M. Downsizing of Block Polymer-Templated Nanopores to One Nanometer via Hyper-Cross-Linking of High χ-Low N Precursors. ACS NANO 2021; 15:9154-9166. [PMID: 33950684 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c02690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Synthesizing nanoporous polymer from the block polymer template by selective removal of the sacrificial domain offers straightforward pore size control as a function of the degree of polymerization (N). Downscaling pore size into the microporous regime (<2 nm) has been thermodynamically challenging, because the low N drives the system to disorder and the small-sized pore is prone to collapse. Herein, we report that maximizing cross-linking density of a block polymer precursor with an increased interaction parameter (χ) can help successfully stabilize the structure bearing pore sizes of 1.1 nm. We adopt polymerization-induced microphase separation (PIMS) combined with hyper-cross-linking as a strategy for the preparation of the bicontinuous block polymer precursors with a densely cross-linked framework by copolymerization of vinylbenzyl chloride with divinylbenzene and also Friedel-Crafts alkylation. Incorporating 4-vinylbiphenyl as a higher-χ comonomer to the sacrificial polylactide (PLA) block and optimizing the segregation strength versus cross-linking density allow for further downscaling. Control of pore size by N of PLA is demonstrated in the range of 9.9-1.1 nm. Accessible surface area to fluorescein-tagged dextrans is regulated by the relative size of the pore to the guest, and pore size is controlled. These findings will be useful for designing microporous polymers with tailored pore size for advanced catalytic and separation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Myungeun Seo
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- KAIST Institute for Nanocentury, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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35
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Zhang Y, Dong R, Gabinet UR, Poling-Skutvik R, Kim NK, Lee C, Imran OQ, Feng X, Osuji CO. Rapid Fabrication by Lyotropic Self-Assembly of Thin Nanofiltration Membranes with Uniform 1 Nanometer Pores. ACS NANO 2021; 15:8192-8203. [PMID: 33729764 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructured materials with precisely defined and water-bicontinuous 1-nm-scale pores are highly sought after as advanced materials for next-generation nanofiltration membranes. While several self-assembled systems appear to satisfy this need, straightforward fabrication of such materials as submicron films with high-fidelity retention of their ordered nanostructure represents a nontrivial challenge. We report the development of a lyotropic liquid crystal mesophase that addresses the aforementioned issue. Films as thin as ∼200 nm are prepared on conventional support membranes using solution-based methods. Within these films, the system is composed of a hexagonally ordered array of ∼3 nm diameter cylinders of cross-linked polymer, embedded in an aqueous medium. The cylinders are uniformly oriented in the plane of the film, providing a transport-limiting dimension of ∼1 nm, associated with the space between the outer surfaces of nearest-neighbor cylinders. These membranes exhibit molecular weight cutoffs of ∼300 Da for organic solutes and are effective in rejecting dissolved salts, and in particular, divalent species, while exhibiting water permeabilities that rival or exceed current state-of-the-art commercial nanofiltration membranes. These materials have the ability to address a broad range of nanofiltration applications, while structure-property considerations suggest several avenues for potential performance improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ruiqi Dong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Uri R Gabinet
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ryan Poling-Skutvik
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Na Kyung Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Changyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Omar Q Imran
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Xunda Feng
- Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Chinedum O Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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36
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Ong SK, Birgersson E, Low HY. Tuning Pressure Drop in Isoporous Membranes: Design with Fabrication Variability. ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adts.202100088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shi Ke Ong
- Engineering Product Development Singapore University of Technology and Design 8 Somapah Road Singapore 487372 Singapore
| | - Erik Birgersson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering National University of Singapore 9 Engineering Drive 1 Singapore 117574 Singapore
| | - Hong Yee Low
- Engineering Product Development Singapore University of Technology and Design 8 Somapah Road Singapore 487372 Singapore
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37
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Wang R, Lan K, Lin R, Jing X, Hung CT, Zhang X, Liu L, Yang Y, Chen G, Liu X, Fan C, El-Toni AM, Khan A, Tang Y, Zhao D. Precisely Controlled Vertical Alignment in Mesostructured Carbon Thin Films for Efficient Electrochemical Sensing. ACS NANO 2021; 15:7713-7721. [PMID: 33821624 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c01367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional carbon materials, incorporating a large mesoporosity, are attracting considerable research interest in various fields such as catalysis, electrochemistry, and energy-related technologies owing to their integrated functionalities. However, their potential applications, which require favorable mass transport within mesopore channels, are constrained by the undesirable and finite mesostructural configurations due to the immense synthetic difficulties. Herein, we demonstrate an oriented monomicelle assembly strategy, for the facile fabrication of highly ordered mesoporous carbon thin films with vertically aligned and permeable mesopore channels. Such a facile and reproducible approach relies on the swelling and fusion effect of hydrophobic benzene homologues for directional monomicelle assembly. The orientation assembly process shows precise controllability and great universality, affording mesoporous carbon films with a cracking-free structure over a centimeter in size, highly tunable thicknesses (13 to 85 nm, an interval of ∼12 nm), mesopore size (8.4 to 13.5 nm), and switchable growth substrates. Owing to their large permeable mesopore channels, electrochemical sensors based on vertical mesoporous carbon films exhibit an ultralow limit of detection (50 nmol L-1) and great sensitivity in dopamine detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruicong Wang
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Lan
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Runfeng Lin
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxin Jing
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Chin-Te Hung
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingmiao Zhang
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangliang Liu
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Yang
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoguo Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Ahmed Mohamed El-Toni
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute, CMRDI, Helwan, Cairo 11421, Egypt
| | - Aslam Khan
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yun Tang
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongyuan Zhao
- Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, People's Republic of China
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38
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Houben SA, van Merwijk SA, Langers BJH, Oosterlaken BM, Borneman Z, Schenning APHJ. Smectic Liquid Crystalline Polymer Membranes with Aligned Nanopores in an Anisotropic Scaffold. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:7592-7599. [PMID: 33539067 PMCID: PMC7898271 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c20898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up methods for the fabrication of nanoporous polymer membranes have numerous advantages. However, it remains challenging to fabricate nanoporous membranes that are mechanically robust and have aligned pores, that is, with a low tortuosity. Here, a mechanically robust thin-film composite membrane was fabricated consisting of a two-dimensional (2D) porous smectic liquid crystalline polymer network inside an anisotropic, microporous polymer scaffold. The polymer scaffold allows for relatively straightforward planar alignment of the smectic liquid crystalline mixture, which consisted of a diacrylate cross-linker and a dimer forming benzoic acid-based monoacrylate. Polymerized samples displayed a smectic A (SmA) phase, which formed the eventual 2D porous channels after base treatment. The aligned 2D nanoporous membranes showed a high rejection of anionic solutes bigger than 322 g/mol. Cleaning and reusability of the system were demonstrated by intentionally fouling the porous channels with a cationic dye and subsequently cleaning the membrane with an acidic solution. After cleaning, the membrane properties were unaffected; this, combined with numerous pressurizing cycles, demonstrated reusability of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon
J. A. Houben
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Storm A. van Merwijk
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno J. H. Langers
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bernette M. Oosterlaken
- Laboratory
of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Zandrie Borneman
- Membrane
Materials and Processes, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P. H. J. Schenning
- Stimuli-Responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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39
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Kloos J, Joosten N, Schenning A, Nijmeijer K. Self-assembling liquid crystals as building blocks to design nanoporous membranes suitable for molecular separations. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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40
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Lugger JA, Marín San Román PP, Kroonen CCE, Sijbesma RP. Nanoporous Films with Photoswitchable Absorption Kinetics Based on Polymerizable Columnar Discotic Liquid Crystals. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:4385-4392. [PMID: 33430592 PMCID: PMC7844832 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c19180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A photoresponsive nanoporous polymer film has been produced from the templated self-assembly of a columnar liquid crystal containing azo units. A liquid crystalline complex of polymerizable azobenzoic acid and a tris-benzimidazolyl benzene template molecule was cross-linked via thiol-ene radical copolymerization with dodecanedithiol. Subsequent removal of the template yielded nanoporous polymer films with pores of approximately 1 nm in diameter. Both trans-cis and cis-trans photoisomerizations of azobenzoic acid took place in the porous films. At room temperature, the cis isomer was sufficiently long-lived to establish a difference in dye absorption kinetics of the two isomers. The cationic dye rhodamine 6G was bound to both isomers, but the rate of binding to films enriched in the cis isomer was 8 times faster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody A.
M. Lugger
- Laboratory
of Supramolecular Polymer Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Patricia P. Marín San Román
- Laboratory
of Supramolecular Polymer Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel C. E. Kroonen
- Laboratory
of Supramolecular Polymer Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rint P. Sijbesma
- Laboratory
of Supramolecular Polymer Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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41
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Kato T, Gupta M, Yamaguchi D, Gan KP, Nakayama M. Supramolecular Association and Nanostructure Formation of Liquid Crystals and Polymers for New Functional Materials. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20200304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Monika Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamaguchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kian Ping Gan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Masanari Nakayama
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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42
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Abbasian Chaleshtari Z, Salimi-Kenari H, Foudazi R. Interdroplet Interactions and Rheology of Concentrated Nanoemulsions for Templating Porous Polymers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:76-89. [PMID: 33337881 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the current study, we investigate the colloidal behavior of nanoemulsions over a wide range of oil volume fractions (φ) from dilute to concentrated regime. The dilute system contains 25% silicone oil dispersed in the aqueous phase consisting of poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate (PEGDA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), which is concentrated through evaporation of water at two different rates at ambient temperature. The rheological studies show that the liquid-like nanoemulsions transform into viscoelastic gels at a volume fraction of ∼30%. The plateau storage modulus of the nanoemulsions increases in the semidilute systems (φ below 45%) and then decreases steadily with increasing φ up to 60%. Dependency of the modulus on the evaporation rate can be observed in the rheological results. According to the rheological results and the overall pairwise interactions estimated between droplets, we propose two regimes of colloidal interactions. In the semidilute regime, the attractive gelation occurs due to considerable short-range attractive depletion induced by the PEGDA oligomer and SDS micelles. In the concentrated regime, the gel weakens by increasing φ mainly due to the structural stabilization barrier from a high concentration of micelles. The PEGDA in the continuous phase of the nanoemulsions can be crosslinked through photopolymerization, resulting in nanoporous PEGDA hydrogels upon removal of oil droplets. We study the water uptake of the nanoporous hydrogels prepared from the nanoemulsion templates at φ = 60%. The hydrogel obtained from the nanoemulsion with fast evaporation rate shows higher water uptake than that obtained from the slowly concentrated nanoemulsion. The tunable viscoelastic behavior of concentrated nanoemulsions as well as the resulting nanoporous hydrogels offers a new platform to design the soft materials for a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abbasian Chaleshtari
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
| | - Hamed Salimi-Kenari
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
- Faculty of Engineering & Technology, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar 47416-13534, Iran
| | - Reza Foudazi
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
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43
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Le Ferrand H. Magnetic slip casting for dense and textured ceramics: A review of current achievements and issues. Ann Ital Chir 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2020.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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44
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Hampu N, Werber JR, Chan WY, Feinberg EC, Hillmyer MA. Next-Generation Ultrafiltration Membranes Enabled by Block Polymers. ACS NANO 2020; 14:16446-16471. [PMID: 33315381 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Reliable and equitable access to safe drinking water is a major and growing challenge worldwide. Membrane separations represent one of the most promising strategies for the energy-efficient purification of potential water sources. In particular, porous membranes are used for the ultrafiltration (UF) of water to remove contaminants with nanometric sizes. However, despite exhibiting excellent water permeability and solution processability, existing UF membranes contain a broad distribution of pore sizes that limit their size selectivity. To maximize the potential utility of UF membranes and allow for precise separations, improvements in the size selectivity of these systems must be achieved. Block polymers represent a potentially transformative solution, as these materials self-assemble into well-defined domains of uniform size. Several different strategies have been reported for integrating block polymers into UF membranes, and each strategy has its own set of materials and processing considerations to ensure that uniform and continuous pores are generated. This Review aims to summarize and critically analyze the chemistries, processing techniques, and properties required for the most common methods for producing porous membranes from block polymers, with a particular focus on the fundamental mechanisms underlying block polymer self-assembly and pore formation. Critical structure-property-performance metrics will be analyzed for block polymer UF membranes to understand how these membranes compare to commercial UF membranes and to identify key research areas for continued improvements. This Review is intended to inform readers of the capabilities and current challenges of block polymer UF membranes, while stimulating critical thought on strategies to advance these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Hampu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jay R Werber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Wui Yarn Chan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Elizabeth C Feinberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Marc A Hillmyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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45
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Toth K, Osuji CO, Yager KG, Doerk GS. High-throughput morphology mapping of self-assembling ternary polymer blends. RSC Adv 2020; 10:42529-42541. [PMID: 35516747 PMCID: PMC9057993 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08491c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicomponent blending is a convenient yet powerful approach to rationally control the material structure, morphology, and functional properties in solution-deposited films of block copolymers and other self-assembling nanomaterials. However, progress in understanding the structural and morphological dependencies on blend composition is hampered by the time and labor required to synthesize and characterize a large number of discrete samples. Here, we report a new method to systematically explore a wide composition space in ternary blends. Specifically, the blend composition space is divided into gradient segments deposited sequentially on a single wafer by a new gradient electrospray deposition tool, and characterized using high-throughput grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering. This method is applied to the creation of a ternary morphology diagram for a cylinder-forming polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) block copolymer blended with PS and PMMA homopolymers. Using “wet brush” homopolymers of very low molecular weight (∼1 kg mol−1), we identify well-demarcated composition regions comprising highly ordered cylinder, lamellae, and sphere morphologies, as well as a disordered phase at high homopolymer mass fractions. The exquisite granularity afforded by this approach also helps to uncover systematic dependencies among self-assembled morphology, topological grain size, and domain period as functions of homopolymer mass fraction and PS : PMMA ratio. These results highlight the significant advantages afforded by blending low molecular weight homopolymers for block copolymer self-assembly. Meanwhile, the high-throughput, combinatorial approach to investigating nanomaterial blends introduced here dramatically reduces the time required to explore complex process parameter spaces and is a natural complement to recent advances in autonomous X-ray characterization. Compositionally graded electrospray deposition combined with grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering forms a high-throughput approach for mapping phase behavior in ternary mixtures as demonstrated here using block copolymer blends.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Toth
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University New Haven Connecticut 06520 USA
| | - Chinedum O Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19104 USA
| | - Kevin G Yager
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton New York 11973 USA
| | - Gregory S Doerk
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton New York 11973 USA
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46
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Rattanakawin P, Yoshimoto K, Hikima Y, Chandra A, Hayakawa T, Tosaka M, Yamago S, Ohshima M. Highly Ordered Nanocellular Polymeric Foams Generated by UV-Induced Chemical Foaming. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:1433-1438. [PMID: 35653659 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nanocellular polymer foams have shown significant potential for industrial applications because of their superior thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. Some of these properties may be further improved by enhancing the ordering of cell structures. However, it is challenging for conventional foaming methods to control both the cell size and ordering at the nanoscale. Here, we show an innovative method to produce highly ordered nanocellular polymer foams by incorporating the self-assembly of an asymmetric diblock copolymer with the UV-induced chemical foaming technique. The minor domains are designed to generate a gaseous compound from the partial cleavage of the functional group. It is demonstrated that the gas-producing reaction can be accelerated at a temperature low enough to prevent melting of the whole self-assembled template, by mixing a small amount of photoacid generator into the copolymer, followed by UV irradiation. The result is the production of polymer foams with the nanoscale cells highly aligned to the self-assembled domains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenji Yoshimoto
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Yuta Hikima
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Alvin Chandra
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Teruaki Hayakawa
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Tosaka
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Shigeru Yamago
- Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ohshima
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
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47
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Salikolimi K, Sudhakar AA, Ishida Y. Functional Ionic Liquid Crystals. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:11702-11731. [PMID: 32927953 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ionic liquid crystals have emerged as a new class of functional soft materials in the last two decades, and they exhibit synergistic characteristics of ionic liquids and liquid crystals such as macroscopic orientability, miscibility with various species, phase stability, nanostructural tunability, and polar nanochannel formation. Owing to these characteristics, the structures, properties, and functions of ionic liquid crystals have been a hot topic in materials chemistry, finding various applications including host frameworks for guest binding, separation membranes, ion-/proton-conducting membranes, reaction media, and optoelectronic materials. Although several excellent review articles of ionic liquid crystals have been published recently, they mainly focused on the fundamental aspects, structures, and specific properties of ionic liquid crystals, while these applications of ionic liquid crystals have not yet been discussed at one time. The aim of this feature article is to provide an overview of the applications of ionic liquid crystals in a comprehensive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yasuhiro Ishida
- RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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48
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Hampu N, Werber JR, Hillmyer MA. Co-Casting Highly Selective Dual-Layer Membranes with Disordered Block Polymer Selective Layers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:45351-45362. [PMID: 32986409 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Highly selective and water permeable dual-layer ultrafiltration (UF) membranes comprising a disordered poly(methyl methacrylate-stat-styrene)-block-poly(lactide) selective layer and a polysulfone (PSF) support layer were fabricated using a co-casting technique. A dilute solution of diblock polymer was spin coated onto a solvent-swollen PSF layer, rapidly heated to dry and disorder the block polymer layer, and subsequently immersed into an ice water coagulation bath to kinetically trap the disordered state in the block polymer selective layer and precipitate the support layer by nonsolvent-induced phase separation. Subsequent removal of the polylactide block generated porous membranes suitable for UF. The permeability of these dual-layer membranes was modulated by tuning the concentration of the PSF casting solution, while the size-selectivity was maintained because of the narrow pore size distribution of the self-assembled block polymer selective layer. Elimination of the thermal annealing step resulted in a dramatic increase in the water permeability without adversely impacting the size-selectivity, as the disordered nanostructure present in the concentrated casting solution was kinetically trapped upon rapid drying. The co-casting strategy outlined in this work may enable the scalable fabrication of block polymer membranes with both high permeability and high selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Hampu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jay R Werber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Marc A Hillmyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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49
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Trant C, Hwang S, Bae C, Lee S. Synthesis and Characterization of Anion-Exchange Membranes Using Semicrystalline Triblock Copolymers in Ordered and Disordered States. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Trant
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Sooyeon Hwang
- Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
| | - Chulsung Bae
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Sangwoo Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
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50
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Coscia BJ, Shirts MR. Capturing Subdiffusive Solute Dynamics and Predicting Selectivity in Nanoscale Pores with Time Series Modeling. J Chem Theory Comput 2020; 16:5456-5473. [PMID: 32786916 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Fitting mathematical models with a direct connection to experimental observables to the outputs of molecular simulations can be a powerful tool for extracting important physical information from them. In this study, we present two new approaches that use stochastic time series modeling to predict long-time-scale behavior and macroscopic properties from molecular simulation, which can be generalized to other molecular systems where complex diffusion occurs. In our previous work, we studied long molecular dynamics (MD) simulation trajectories of a cross-linked HII phase lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) membrane, where we observed subdiffusive solute transport behavior characterized by intermittent hops separated by periods of entrapment. In this work, we use our models to parameterize the behavior of the same systems, so we can generate characteristic trajectory realizations that can be used to predict solute mean-squared displacements (MSDs), solute flux, and solute selectivity in macroscopic length pores. First, using anomalous diffusion theory, we show how solute dynamics can be modeled as a fractional diffusion process subordinate to a continuous time random walk. From the MD simulations, we parameterize the distribution of dwell times, hop lengths between dwells, and correlation between hops. We explore two variations of the anomalous diffusion modeling approach. The first variation applies a single set of parameters to the solute displacements and the second applies two sets of parameters based on the solute's radial distance from the closest pore center. Next, we present an approach that generalizes Markov state models, treating the configurational states of the system as a Markov process where each state has distinct transport properties. For each state and transition between states, we parameterize the distribution and temporal correlation structure of positional fluctuations as a means of characterization and to allow us to predict solute MSDs. We show that both stochastic models reasonably reproduce the MSDs calculated from MD simulations. However, qualitative differences between MD and Markov state-dependent model-generated trajectories may in some cases limit their usefulness. With these parameterized stochastic models, we demonstrate how one can estimate the flux of a solute across a macroscopic length pore and, based on these quantities, the membrane's selectivity toward each solute. This work therefore helps to connect microscopic, chemically dependent solute motions that do not follow simple diffusive behavior with long-time-scale behavior, in an approach generalizable to many types of molecular systems with complex dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Coscia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Michael R Shirts
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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