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Liu J, Li C, Jia P, Hao J, Gao L, Wang J, Jiang L. Large-Scale, Vertically Aligned 2D Subnanochannel Arrays by a Smectic Liquid Crystal Network for High-Performance Osmotic Energy Conversion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2313695. [PMID: 38452281 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The osmotic energy, an abundant renewable energy source, can be directly converted to electricity by nanofluidic devices with ion-selective membranes. 2D nanochannels constructed by nanosheets possess abundant lateral interfacial ion-exchange sites and exhibit great superiority in nanofluidic devices. However, the most accessible orientation of the 2D nanochannels is parallel to the membrane surface, undoubtedly resulting in the conductivity loss. Herein, first vertically aligned 2D subnanochannel arrays self-assembled by a smectic liquid crystal (LC) network that exhibit high-performance osmotic energy conversion are demonstrated. The 2D subnanochannel arrays are fabricated by in situ photopolymerization of monomers in the LC phase. The as-prepared membrane exhibits excellent water-resistance and mechanical strength. The 2D subnanochannels with excellent cation selectivity and conductivity show high-performance osmotic energy conversion. The power density reaches up to about 22.5 W m-2 with NaCl solution under a 50-fold concentration gradient, which is among with ultrahigh power density. This membrane design concept provides promising applications in osmotic energy conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technique Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Sciences, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710048, China
| | - Chao Li
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Pan Jia
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials, College of Chemistry and Material Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, 050024, China
| | - JunRan Hao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technique Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Longcheng Gao
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technique Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Center of Material Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
- School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfaces Sciences, Technique Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Future Technologies, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101407, China
- Ji Hua Laboratory, Foshan, Guangdong Province, 528000, China
- Binzhou Institute of Technology, Binzhou, Shandong Province, 256600, China
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2
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Lyu P, Broer DJ, Liu D. Advancing interactive systems with liquid crystal network-based adaptive electronics. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4191. [PMID: 38760356 PMCID: PMC11101476 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Achieving adaptive behavior in artificial systems, analogous to living organisms, has been a long-standing goal in electronics and materials science. Efforts to integrate adaptive capabilities into synthetic electronics traditionally involved a typical architecture comprising of sensors, an external controller, and actuators constructed from multiple materials. However, challenges arise when attempting to unite these three components into a single entity capable of independently coping with dynamic environments. Here, we unveil an adaptive electronic unit based on a liquid crystal polymer that seamlessly incorporates sensing, signal processing, and actuating functionalities. The polymer forms a film that undergoes anisotropic deformations when exposed to a minor heat pulse generated by human touch. We integrate this property into an electric circuit to facilitate switching. We showcase the concept by creating an interactive system that features distributed information processing including feedback loops and enabling cascading signal transmission across multiple adaptive units. This system responds progressively, in a multi-layered cascade to a dynamic change in its environment. The incorporation of adaptive capabilities into a single piece of responsive material holds immense potential for expediting progress in next-generation flexible electronics, soft robotics, and swarm intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengrong Lyu
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J Broer
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Danqing Liu
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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3
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Gupta R, Verma SD. Two-Dimensional Fluctuation Correlation Spectroscopy (2D-FlucCS): A Method to Determine the Origin of Relaxation Rate Dispersion. ACS MEASUREMENT SCIENCE AU 2024; 4:153-162. [PMID: 38645580 PMCID: PMC11027202 DOI: 10.1021/acsmeasuresciau.3c00048] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Relaxation rate dispersion, i.e., nonexponential or multicomponent kinetics, is observed in complex systems when measuring relaxation kinetics. Often, the origin of rate dispersion is associated with the heterogeneity in the system. However, both homogeneous (where all molecules experience the same rate but inherently nonexponential) and heterogeneous (where all molecules experience different rates) systems can exhibit rate dispersion. A multidimensional correlation analysis method has been demonstrated to detect and quantify rate dispersion observed in molecular rotation, diffusion, solvation, and reaction kinetics. One-dimensional (1D) autocorrelation function detects rate dispersion and measures its extent. Two-dimensional (2D) autocorrelation function measures the origin of rate dispersion and distinguishes homogeneous from heterogeneous. In a heterogeneous system, implicitly there exist subensembles of molecules experiencing different rates. A three-dimensional (3D) autocorrelation function measures subensemble exchange if present and reveals if the system possesses static or dynamic heterogeneity. This perspective discusses the principles, applications, and potential and also presents a future outlook of two-dimensional fluctuation correlation spectroscopy (2D-FlucCS). The method is applicable to any experiment or simulation where a time series of fluctuation in an observable (emission, scattering, current, etc.) around a mean value can be obtained in steady state (equilibrium or nonequilibrium), provided the system is ergodic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchir Gupta
- Spectroscopy and Dynamics
Visualization Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhauri, Bhopal 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sachin Dev Verma
- Spectroscopy and Dynamics
Visualization Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhauri, Bhopal 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India
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4
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Liu M, Yang S. Exploiting Molecular Orders at the Interface of Microdroplets for Intelligent Materials. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:739-750. [PMID: 38403956 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusThe intrinsic molecular order of liquid crystals (LCs) and liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) is the origin of their stimuli-responsive properties. The programmable responsiveness and functionality, such as shape morphing and color change under external stimuli, are the key features that attract interest in designing LC- and LCE-based intelligent material platforms. Methods such as mechanical stretching and shearing, surface alignment, and field-assisted alignment have been exploited to program the order of LC molecules for the desired responsiveness. However, the huge size mismatch between the nanometer-sized LC mesogens and the targeted macroscopic objects calls for questions about how to delicately control molecular order for desired performance. Microparticles that can be synthesized with intrinsic molecular order precisely controlled to micrometer size can be used as building blocks for bulk materials, thus offering opportunities to bridge the gap and transcend molecular orders across scales. By taking advantage of the interfacial anchoring effects, we can control and engineer the molecular orders inside the microdroplets, allowing for the realization of various responsive behaviors. Furthermore, designer LC microparticles with multiple responsiveness can be assembled and confined within a matrix, opening a new pathway to engineering LC-enabled intelligent materials.In this Account, we present our recent work on exploiting the molecular order inside microdroplets for the construction of intelligent materials. We briefly introduce the typical chemicals used in the synthesis and the methods developed to control LC molecular alignment within a microdroplets. We then present examples of microparticles synthesized from microdroplets that can transform into complex morphologies upon cooling from the isotropic to nematic phase or due to phase separation within the droplets coupled with the segregation of LC oligomers (LCOs) with polydisperse chain lengths. Furthermore, we show the synthesis of elliptical LCE microparticles and exploit their thermal and magnetic responsiveness to program shape-morphing behaviors and microarrays with switchable optical polarization. By mixing magnetic nanoparticles in cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) and silicone oils, we created Janus microparticles capable of color switching for camouflage and information encryption. Moreover, we can engineer complex molecular orders in LCE microparticles by mixing different surfactants, yielding microparticles of diverse anisotropic, temperature-responsive shapes after photopolymerization and extraction of the template LC molecules with different solvents. We conclude the Account with an outlook on the design of intelligent material systems via the design of unprecedented molecular ordering within the microparticles and their coupling with bulk materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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Wang X, Jiang J, Chen J, Asilehan Z, Tang W, Peng C, Zhang R. Moiré effect enables versatile design of topological defects in nematic liquid crystals. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1655. [PMID: 38409234 PMCID: PMC10897219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45529-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in surface-patterning techniques of liquid crystals have enabled the precise creation of topological defects, which promise a variety of emergent applications. However, the manipulation and application of these defects remain limited. Here, we harness the moiré effect to engineer topological defects in patterned nematic liquid crystal cells. Specifically, we combine simulation and experiment to examine a nematic cell confined between two substrates of periodic surface anchoring patterns; by rotating one surface against the other, we observe a rich variety of highly tunable, novel topological defects. These defects are shown to guide the three-dimensional self-assembly of colloids, which can conversely impact defects by preventing the self-annihilation of loop-defects through jamming. Finally, we demonstrate that certain nematic moiré cells can engender arbitrary shapes represented by defect regions. As such, the proposed simple twist method enables the design and tuning of mesoscopic structures in liquid crystals, facilitating applications including defect-directed self-assembly, material transport, micro-reactors, photonic devices, and anti-counterfeiting materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA
| | - Zhawure Asilehan
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Wentao Tang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China.
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
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6
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Zhang Y, Yang H, Chen Y, Yu H. Progress in Fabrication and Applications of Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Microcapsules. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303198. [PMID: 37971158 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are well known for inherent responsiveness to external stimuli, such as light, thermal, magnetic, and electric fields. Cholesteric LCs are among the most fascinating, since they possess distinctive optical properties due to the helical molecular orientation. However, the good flow, easy contamination, and poor stability of small-molecule LCs limit their further applications, and microencapsulation as one of the most effective tools can evade these disadvantages. Microencapsulation can offer shell-core structure with LCs in the core can strengthen their stability, avoiding interference with the environment while maintaining the stimuli-responsiveness and optical properties. Here, we report recent progress in the fabrication and applications of cholesteric LC microcapsules (CLCMCs). We summarize general properties and basic principles, fabrication methods including interfacial polymerization, in-situ polymerization, complex coacervation, solvent evaporation, microfluidic and polymerization of reactive mesogens, and then give a comprehensive overview of their applications in various popular domains, including smart fabrics, smart sensor, smart displays, anti-counterfeiting, information encryption, biomedicine and actuators. Finally, we discuss the currently facing challenges and the potential development directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Zhang
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100020, Beijing, China
| | - Haixiao Yang
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100020, Beijing, China
| | - Yinjie Chen
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Printed Electronics, Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, 102600, Beijing, China
| | - Haifeng Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering and, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and, Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
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7
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Yang R, Deng Y, Xie S, Liu M, Zou Y, Qian T, An Q, Chen J, Shen S, van den Berg A, Zhang M, Shui L. Controllable ingestion and release of guest components driven by interfacial molecular orientation of host liquid crystal droplets. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 652:557-566. [PMID: 37607418 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.08.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Controllable construction and manipulation of artificial multi-compartmental structures are crucial in understanding and imitating smart molecular elements such as biological cells and on-demand delivery systems. Here, we report a liquid crystal droplet (LCD) based three-dimensional system for controllable and reversible ingestion and release of guest aqueous droplets (GADs). Induced by interfacial thermodynamic fluctuation and internal topological defect, microscale LCDs with perpendicular anchoring condition at the interface would spontaneously ingest external components from the surroundings and transform them as radially assembled tiny GADs inside LCDs. Landau-de Gennes free-energy model is applied to describe and explain the assembly dynamics and morphologies of these tiny GADs, which presents a good agreement with experimental observations. Furthermore, the release of these ingested GADs can be actively triggered by changing the anchoring conditions at the interface of LCDs. Since those ingestion and release processes are controllable and happen very gently at room temperature and neutral pH environment without extra energy input, these microscale LCDs are very prospective to provide a unique and viable route for constructing hierarchical 3D structures with tunable components and compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhi Yang
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yueming Deng
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuting Xie
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mengjun Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yiying Zou
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tiezheng Qian
- Department of Mathematics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qi An
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiamei Chen
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shitao Shen
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Albert van den Berg
- BIOS Lab-on-a-Chip Group, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Technical Medical Centre and Max Planck Centre for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, AE, Enschede 7500, the Netherlands
| | - Minmin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Lingling Shui
- Joint Laboratory of Optofluidic Technology and Systems (LOTS), National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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8
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Gu P, Luo X, Zhou S, Wang D, Li Z, Chai Y, Zhang Y, Shi S, Russell TP. Stabilizing Liquids Using Interfacial Supramolecular Assemblies. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202303789. [PMID: 37198522 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202303789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Stabilizing liquids based on supramolecular assembly (non-covalent intermolecular interactions) has attracted significant interest, due to the increasing demand for soft, liquid-based devices where the shape of the liquid is far from the equilibrium spherical shape. The components comprising these interfacial assemblies must have sufficient binding energies to the interface to prevent their ejection from the interface when the assemblies are compressed. Here, we highlight recent advances in structuring liquids based on non-covalent intermolecular interactions. We describe some of the progress made that reveals structure-property relationships. In addition to treating advances, we discuss some of the limitations and provide a perspective on future directions to inspire further studies on structured liquids based on supramolecular assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyang Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, P. R. China
| | - Xiaobo Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, P. R. China
| | - Shiyuan Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, P. R. China
| | - Danfeng Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, P. R. China
| | - Zhongyu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, P. R. China
- School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, P. R. China
| | - Yu Chai
- Department of Physics, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, P. R. China
| | - Yuzhe Zhang
- School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, P. R. China
| | - Shaowei Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
| | - Thomas P Russell
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, P. R. China
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
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9
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Koizumi R, Golovaty D, Alqarni A, Li BX, Sternberg PJ, Lavrentovich OD. Topological transformations of a nematic drop. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf3385. [PMID: 37418526 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf3385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Morphogenesis of living systems involves topological shape transformations which are highly unusual in the inanimate world. Here, we demonstrate that a droplet of a nematic liquid crystal changes its equilibrium shape from a simply connected tactoid, which is topologically equivalent to a sphere, to a torus, which is not simply connected. The topological shape transformation is caused by the interplay of nematic elastic constants, which facilitates splay and bend of molecular orientations in tactoids but hinders splay in the toroids. The elastic anisotropy mechanism might be helpful in understanding topology transformations in morphogenesis and paves the way to control and transform shapes of droplets of liquid crystals and related soft materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runa Koizumi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Dmitry Golovaty
- Department of Mathematics, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-4002, USA
| | - Ali Alqarni
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Bing-Xiang Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Microelectronics, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Peter J Sternberg
- Department of Mathematics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Oleg D Lavrentovich
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
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10
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Mesarec L, Góźdź W, Kralj-Iglič V, Kralj S, Iglič A. Coupling of nematic in-plane orientational ordering and equilibrium shapes of closed flexible nematic shells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10663. [PMID: 37393271 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37664-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of the intrinsic curvature of in-plane orientationally ordered curved flexible nematic molecules attached to closed 3D flexible shells was studied numerically. A Helfrich-Landau-de Gennes-type mesoscopic approach was adopted where the flexible shell's curvature field and in-plane nematic field are coupled and concomitantly determined in the process of free energy minimisation. We demonstrate that this coupling has the potential to generate a rich diversity of qualitatively new shapes of closed 3D nematic shells and the corresponding specific in-plane orientational ordering textures, which strongly depend on the shell's volume-to-surface area ratio, so far not predicted in mesoscopic-type numerical studies of 3D shapes of closed flexible nematic shells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Mesarec
- Laboratory of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška Cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Wojciech Góźdź
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Veronika Kralj-Iglič
- Laboratory of Clinical Biophysics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena 5, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Samo Kralj
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška Cesta 160, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia
- Condensed Matter Physics Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Iglič
- Laboratory of Physics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška Cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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11
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Yoshiko T, Sato D, Yamamoto T. Fibrous self-assembly of liquid crystal made by self-organisation. LIQUID CRYSTALS TODAY 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/1358314x.2022.2179827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Takenaka Yoshiko
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - D. Sato
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Applied Physics, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T. Yamamoto
- Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
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12
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Patel M, Shimizu S, Bates MA, Fernandez-Nieves A, Guldin S. Long term phase separation dynamics in liquid crystal-enriched microdroplets obtained from binary fluid mixtures. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:1017-1024. [PMID: 36647716 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01348g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of long term phase separation in binary liquid mixtures remains a subject of fundamental interest. Here, we study a binary liquid mixture, where the minority phase is confined to a liquid crystal (LC)-rich droplet, by investigating the evolution of size, defect and mesogen alignment over time. We track the binary liquid mixture evolving towards equilibrium by visualising the configuration of the liquid crystal droplet through polarisation microscopy. We compare our experimental findings with computational simulations and elucidate differences between bulk phases and confined droplets based on the respective thermodynamics of phase separation. Our work provides insights on how phase transitions on the microscale can deviate from bulk phase diagrams with relevance to other material systems, such as the liquid-liquid phase separation of polymer and protein solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehzabin Patel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK.
| | - Seishi Shimizu
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Martin A Bates
- Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Alberto Fernandez-Nieves
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Complex Systems (UBICS), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefan Guldin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK.
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13
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Norouzi S, Zhang R, Munguia-Fernández JG, de Pablo L, Zhou Y, Taheri-Qazvini N, Shapiro H, Morin S, Martinez-Gonzalez JA, Sadati M, de Pablo JJ. Director Distortion and Phase Modulation in Deformable Nematic and Smectic Liquid Crystal Spheroids. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:15272-15281. [PMID: 36454950 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The growing interest in integrating liquid crystals (LCs) into flexible and miniaturized technologies brings about the need to understand the interplay between spatially curved geometry, surface anchoring, and the order associated with these materials. Here, we integrate experimental methods and computational simulations to explore the competition between surface-induced orientation and the effects of deformable curved boundaries in uniaxially and biaxially stretched nematic and smectic microdroplets. We find that the director field of the nematic LCs upon uniaxial strain reorients and forms a larger twisted defect ring to adjust to the new deformed geometry of the stretched droplet. Upon biaxial extension, the director field initially twists in the now oblate geometry and subsequently transitions into a uniform vertical orientation at high strains. In smectic microdroplets, on the other hand, LC alignment transforms from a radial smectic layering to a quasi-flat layering in a compromise between interfacial and dilatation forces. Upon removing the mechanical strain, the smectic LC recovers its initial radial configuration; however, the oblate geometry traps the nematic LC in the metastable vertical state. These findings offer a basis for the rational design of LC-based flexible devices, including wearable sensors, flexible displays, and smart windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Norouzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Rui Zhang
- Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon 999077, Hong Kong
| | - Juan G Munguia-Fernández
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1580, San Luis Potosí 78295, México
| | - Luis de Pablo
- University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, 1362 E 59th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Ye Zhou
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Nader Taheri-Qazvini
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Harrison Shapiro
- University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, 1362 E 59th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Samuel Morin
- University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, 1362 E 59th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Jose A Martinez-Gonzalez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1580, San Luis Potosí 78295, México
| | - Monirosadat Sadati
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Juan J de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
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14
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Han WC, Kim YB, Lee YJ, Kim DS. Exploring multiphase liquid crystal polymeric droplets created by a partial phase-separation. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.130124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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15
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Koizumi R, Golovaty D, Alqarni A, Walker SW, Nastishin YA, Calderer MC, Lavrentovich OD. Toroidal nuclei of columnar lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals coexisting with an isotropic phase. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:7258-7268. [PMID: 35975722 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00712f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nuclei of ordered materials emerging from the isotropic state usually show a shape topologically equivalent to a sphere; the well-known examples are crystals and nematic liquid crystal droplets. In this work, we explore experimentally and theoretically the toroidal in shape nuclei of columnar lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals coexisting with the isotropic phase. The geometry of these toroids depends strongly on concentrations of the disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) and the crowding agent, polyethylene glycol (PEG). High concentrations of DSCG and PEG result in thick toroids with small central holes, while low concentrations yield thin toroids with wide holes. The multitude of the observed shapes is explained by the balance of bending elasticity and anisotropic interfacial tension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runa Koizumi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Dmitry Golovaty
- Department of Mathematics, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-4002, USA.
| | - Ali Alqarni
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Bisha, Bisha, 67714, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Shawn W Walker
- Department of Mathematics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-4918, USA.
| | - Yuriy A Nastishin
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy, 32 Heroes of Maidan street, Lviv, 79012, Ukraine.
| | - M Carme Calderer
- School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Oleg D Lavrentovich
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA.
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16
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Xu H, Ding B, Xu Y, Huang Z, Wei D, Chen S, Lan T, Pan Y, Cheng HM, Liu B. Magnetically tunable and stable deep-ultraviolet birefringent optics using two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 17:1091-1096. [PMID: 35953540 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-022-01186-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Birefringence is a fundamental optical property that can induce phase retardation of polarized light. Tuning the birefringence of liquid crystals is a core technology for light manipulation in current applications in the visible and infrared spectral regions. Due to the strong absorption or instability of conventional liquid crystals in deep-ultraviolet light, tunable birefringence remains elusive in this region, notwithstanding its significance in diverse applications. Here we show a stable and birefringence-tunable deep-ultraviolet modulator based on two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride. It has an extremely large optical anisotropy factor of 6.5 × 10-12 C2 J-1 m-1 that gives rise to a specific magneto-optical Cotton-Mouton coefficient of 8.0 × 106 T-2 m-1, which is about five orders of magnitude higher than other potential deep-ultraviolet-transparent media. The large coefficient, high stability (retention rate of 99.7% after 270 cycles) and wide bandgap of boron nitride collectively enable the fabrication of stable deep-ultraviolet modulators with magnetically tunable birefringence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Xu
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Baofu Ding
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China.
- Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality/Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Youan Xu
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
- Xi'an Research Institute of High Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Ziyang Huang
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dahai Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Superlattices and Microstructures, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tianshu Lan
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yikun Pan
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui-Ming Cheng
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China.
- Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality/Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
- Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China.
- Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
| | - Bilu Liu
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute & Institute of Materials Research, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China.
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17
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Confinement-Induced Fabrication of Liquid Crystalline Polymeric Fibers. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175639. [PMID: 36080405 PMCID: PMC9458136 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In aqueous media, liquid crystalline droplets typically form spherical shapes in order to minimize surface energy. Recently, non-spherical geometry has been reported using molecular self-assembly of surfactant-stabilized liquid crystalline oligomers, resulting in branched and randomly oriented filamentous networks. In this study, we report a polymerization of liquid crystalline polymeric fibers within a micro-mold. When liquid crystal oligomers are polymerized in freely suspended aqueous media, curvilinear and randomly networked filaments are obtained. When reactive liquid crystalline monomers are oligomerized in a micro-channel, however, highly aligned linear fibers are polymerized. Within a top-down microfabricated mold, a bottom-up molecular assembly was successfully achieved in a controlled manner by micro-confinement, suggesting a unique opportunity for the programming architecture of materials via a hybrid approach.
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18
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Ryabchun A, Babu D, Movilli J, Plamont R, Stuart MC, Katsonis N. Run-and-halt motility of droplets in response to light. Chem 2022; 8:2290-2300. [PMID: 36003886 PMCID: PMC9387750 DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2022.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Microscopic motility is a property that emerges from systems of interacting molecules. Unraveling the mechanisms underlying such motion requires coupling the chemistry of molecules with physical processes that operate at larger length scales. Here, we show that photoactive micelles composed of molecular switches gate the autonomous motion of oil droplets in water. These micelles switch from large trans-micelles to smaller cis-micelles in response to light, and only the trans-micelles are effective fuel for the motion. Ultimately, it is this light that controls the movement of the droplets via the photochemistry of the molecules composing the micelles used as fuel. Notably, the droplets evolve positive photokinetic movement, and in patchy light environments, they preferentially move toward peripheral areas as a result of the difference in illumination conditions at the periphery. Our findings demonstrate that engineering the interplay between molecular photo-chemistry and microscopic motility allows designing motile systems rationally. Molecular photoswitches mediate the motility of droplets Photoactive micelles formed by molecular switches fuel droplet motion Photoactive micelles gate motility in response to light Droplets evolve motile patterns such as run-and-halt and photokinetic motion
From the swim of bacteria to the beat of a heart, macroscopic movement is a hallmark of life and is ultimately driven by molecular machines. Artificial molecular machines display sophisticated motion with the potential to be harnessed into the purposeful movement of compartments. However, our perception of macroscopic movement differs from the rules that govern movement at the molecular scale. Large-scale functional movement can only emerge when molecular chemistry is coupled to physical processes that operate at larger length scales. We show that the geometry of the amphiphilic switches (molecular level) determines the geometry of micelles (supramolecular level), which in turn determines whether droplet movement can emerge (ensemble level). Eventually, the droplets display motile patterns reminiscent of those of swimming cells. We conclude that molecular behavior can be related to droplet motility rationally, which is a prerequisite for the design of functional motile systems.
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19
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Wei WS, Jeong J, Collings PJ, Yodh AG. Focal conic flowers, dislocation rings, and undulation textures in smectic liquid crystal Janus droplets. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:4360-4371. [PMID: 35608219 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01623g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline phases of matter often exhibit visually stunning patterns or textures. Mostly, these liquid crystal (LC) configurations are uniquely determined by bulk LC elasticity, surface anchoring conditions, and confinement geometry. Here, we experimentally explore defect textures of the smectic LC phase in unique confining geometries with variable curvature. We show that a complex range of director configurations can arise from a single system, depending on sample processing procedures. Specifically, we report on LC textures in Janus drops comprised of silicone oil and 8CB in its smectic-A LC phase. The Janus droplets were made in aqueous suspension using solvent-induced phase separation. After drop creation, smectic layers form in the LC compartment, but their self-assembly is frustrated by the need to accommodate both the bowl-shaped cavity geometry and homeotropic (perpendicular) anchoring conditions at boundaries. A variety of stable and metastable smectic textures arise, including focal conic domains, dislocation rings, and undulations. We experimentally characterize their stabilities and follow their spatiotemporal evolution. Overall, a range of fabrication kinetics produce very different intermediate and final states. The observations elucidate assembly mechanisms and suggest new routes for fabrication of complex soft material structures in Janus drops and other confinement geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Shao Wei
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joonwoo Jeong
- Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
| | - Peter J Collings
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - A G Yodh
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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20
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Balakrishnan G, Song J, Mou C, Bettinger CJ. Recent Progress in Materials Chemistry to Advance Flexible Bioelectronics in Medicine. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2106787. [PMID: 34751987 PMCID: PMC8917047 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202106787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Designing bioelectronic devices that seamlessly integrate with the human body is a technological pursuit of great importance. Bioelectronic medical devices that reliably and chronically interface with the body can advance neuroscience, health monitoring, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Recent major efforts focus on investigating strategies to fabricate flexible, stretchable, and soft electronic devices, and advances in materials chemistry have emerged as fundamental to the creation of the next generation of bioelectronics. This review summarizes contemporary advances and forthcoming technical challenges related to three principal components of bioelectronic devices: i) substrates and structural materials, ii) barrier and encapsulation materials, and iii) conductive materials. Through notable illustrations from the literature, integration and device fabrication strategies and associated challenges for each material class are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiwoo Song
- Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Chenchen Mou
- Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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21
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Zhang X, Lin G, Guo H, Yang F. Tetraphenylethylene-rufigallol-tetraphenylethylene trimers: Novel fluorescence liquid crystals in aggregated states. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.131643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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22
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Sheng M, Li J, Jiang X, Wang C, Li J, Zhang L, Fu S. Biomimetic Solid-Liquid Transition Structural Dye-Doped Liquid Crystal/Phase-Change-Material Microcapsules Designed for Wearable Bistable Electrochromic Fabric. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:33282-33290. [PMID: 34227793 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c08135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A novel polymer microcapsule-filled dye-doped liquid crystal (DDLC) and phase-change material (PCM) system inspired by biological materials was first proposed, which was further encapsulated into a calcium alginate substrate by wet spinning for making an electrochromic fiber with both bistable electric-optical capability and knitting characteristics. Results show that the optical appearance of the optimized microcapsules and fiber can be reversibly changed between colored and colorless states according to the electric field by switching the DDLCs between isotropic (I) and anisotropic (A) states. Moreover, both I and A states can remain stable for more than 1 week after removing the electric field, due to the synergy of the greatly increased spatial hindrance of the PCM with core loading of 22.58% and the confinement effect from the polymer microcapsule shell material. Aside from the long-term optical stability, the high content of the densely packed DDLCs also endows the electrochromic fiber with a satisfactory driving voltage of 9.7 V, which is below the human safe voltage, showing great potential in a wide range of applications, such as flexible displays, energy-saving smart windows, and wearable advanced textiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfei Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Science & Technology of Eco-Textile, Jiangnan University, Ministry of Education, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- The First Scientific Research Institute of Wuxi, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xiaojun Jiang
- The First Scientific Research Institute of Wuxi, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Chengcheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Science & Technology of Eco-Textile, Jiangnan University, Ministry of Education, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jiashuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Science & Technology of Eco-Textile, Jiangnan University, Ministry of Education, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Science & Technology of Eco-Textile, Jiangnan University, Ministry of Education, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Shaohai Fu
- Key Laboratory of Science & Technology of Eco-Textile, Jiangnan University, Ministry of Education, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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23
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Megone W, Kong D, Peng L, Gautrot JE. Extreme reversal in mechanical anisotropy in liquid-liquid interfaces reinforced with self-assembled protein nanosheets. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 594:650-657. [PMID: 33780768 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The structuring of liquid-liquid and liquid-air interfaces may play an important role in novel microfabrication platforms and biotechnologies, from the spontaneous formation of microfilaments from liquid droplets and the 3D printing of liquids, to the culture of stem cells on emulsions. Understanding the mechanical anisotropy of associated liquid interfaces is essential for the development of such systems. Models of AFM indentation at liquid interfaces, based on the Young-Laplace model, currently do not allow the quantification of interfacial mechanical properties of associated molecular films. This report presents such a model and compares its predictions to interfacial mechanical properties characterised via interfacial shear rheology. An extreme reversal of mechanical anisotropy of liquid-liquid interfaces is observed, upon self-assembly of protein nanosheets, by 5 orders of magnitude. Results indicate that, although interfacial rheology is more sensitive than AFM indentation to the mechanics of molecular films in the low range of interfacial mechanics, AFM indentation allows the quantification of mechanical properties of stiffer molecular films, and remains better adapted to the characterisation of small samples and enables the characterisation of local heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Megone
- Institute of Bioengineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK; School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Dexu Kong
- Institute of Bioengineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK; School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Lihui Peng
- Institute of Bioengineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK; School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Julien E Gautrot
- Institute of Bioengineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK; School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
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24
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Ding B, Pan Y, Zhang Z, Lan T, Huang Z, Lu B, Liu B, Cheng HM. Largely Tunable Magneto-Coloration of Monolayer 2D Materials via Size Tailoring. ACS NANO 2021; 15:9445-9452. [PMID: 33861565 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c02259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Magnetically influenced light-matter interaction provides a contactless, noninvasive and power-free way for material characterization and light modulation. Shape anisotropy of active materials mainly determines the sensitivity of magneto-optic response, thereby making magnetic two-dimensional (2D) materials suitable in achieving the giant magneto-birefringence effect as discovered recently. Consequently, relationship between magneto-birefringence response and shape anisotropy of 2D materials is critical but has remained elusive, restricting its widespread applications. Here, we report the highly sensitive and largely tunable magneto-coloration via manipulating the shape-anisotropy of magnetic 2D materials. We reveal a quadratic increasing relationship between the magneto-optic Cotton-Mouton coefficient and the lateral size of 2D materials and achieve a more than one order of magnitude tunable response. This feature enables the engineerable transmissive magneto-coloration of 2D materials by tailoring their shape anisotropy. Our work deepens the understanding of the tunability of magneto-optic response by size effect of active materials, offering various opportunities for their applications in vast areas where color is concerned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baofu Ding
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yikun Pan
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zehao Zhang
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tianshu Lan
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ziyang Huang
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Beibei Lu
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bilu Liu
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hui-Ming Cheng
- Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
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25
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Lin S, Sun H, Cornel EJ, Jiang JH, Zhu YQ, Fan Z, Du JZ. Denting Nanospheres with a Short Peptide. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2599-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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26
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Self-shaping liquid crystal droplets by balancing bulk elasticity and interfacial tension. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2011174118. [PMID: 33790006 PMCID: PMC8040587 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011174118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid crystal (LC) research is rapidly expanding to include studies of curved and topologically nontrivial structures. Here, we explore the role of the bulk LC elasticity and interfacial free energy under weak thermal stimuli to achieve structural transformations in LC emulsions using two different surfactants. Our method is universal and could be used for any LC material or phase. A theoretical model for transforming LC emulsions into uniform fibers and vice versa is presented. We also show the self-shaping of smectic vesicle structures and monodispersed droplet formation at the nematic–smectic transition, utilizing the LC bulk elasticity. This work shows the potential to obtain the controllable shape of complex curved structures for a constant volume of different LCs and other soft materials. The shape diversity and controlled reconfigurability of closed surfaces and filamentous structures, universally found in cellular colonies and living tissues, are challenging to reproduce. Here, we demonstrate a method for the self-shaping of liquid crystal (LC) droplets into anisotropic and three-dimensional superstructures, such as LC fibers, LC helices, and differently shaped LC vesicles. The method is based on two surfactants: one dissolved in the LC dispersed phase and the other in the aqueous continuous phase. We use thermal stimuli to tune the bulk LC elasticity and interfacial energy, thereby transforming an emulsion of polydispersed, spherical nematic droplets into numerous, uniform-diameter fibers with multiple branches and vice versa. Furthermore, when the nematic LC is cooled to the smectic-A LC phase, we produce monodispersed microdroplets with a tunable diameter dictated by the cooling rate. Utilizing this temperature-controlled self-shaping of LCs, we demonstrate life-like smectic LC vesicle structures analogous to the biomembranes in living systems. Our experimental findings are supported by a theoretical model of equilibrium interface shapes. The shape transformation is induced by negative interfacial energy, which promotes a spontaneous increase of the interfacial area at a fixed LC volume. The method was successfully applied to many different LC materials and phases, demonstrating a universal mechanism for shape transformation in complex fluids.
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Patel M, Radhakrishnan ANP, Bescher L, Hunter-Sellars E, Schmidt-Hansberg B, Amstad E, Ibsen S, Guldin S. Temperature-induced liquid crystal microdroplet formation in a partially miscible liquid mixture. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:947-954. [PMID: 33284300 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01742f] [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
Liquid-in-liquid droplets are typically generated by the partitioning of immiscible fluids, e.g. by mechanical shearing with macroscopic homogenisers or microfluidic flow focussing. In contrast, partially miscible liquids with a critical solution temperature display a temperature-dependent mixing behaviour. In this work, we demonstrate how, for a blend of methanol (MeOH) and the thermotropic liquid crystal (LC) 4-Cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB), cooling from a miscible to an immiscible state allows the controlled formation of microdroplets. A near-room-temperature-induced phase separation leads to nucleation, growth and coalescence of mesogen-rich droplets. The size and number of the droplets is tunable on the microscopic scale by variation of temperature quench depth and cooling rate. Further cooling induces a phase transition to nematic droplets with radial configuration, well-defined sizes and stability over the course of an hour. This temperature-induced approach offers a scalable and reversible alternative to droplet formation with relevance in diagnostics, optoelectronics, materials templating and extraction processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehzabin Patel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK.
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28
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Polyhedral liquid droplets: Recent advances in elucidation and application. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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van der Weijden A, Winkens M, Schoenmakers SMC, Huck WTS, Korevaar PA. Autonomous mesoscale positioning emerging from myelin filament self-organization and Marangoni flows. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4800. [PMID: 32968072 PMCID: PMC7511956 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18555-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Out-of-equilibrium molecular systems hold great promise as dynamic, reconfigurable matter that executes complex tasks autonomously. However, translating molecular scale dynamics into spatiotemporally controlled phenomena emerging at mesoscopic scale remains a challenge-especially if one aims at a design where the system itself maintains gradients that are required to establish spatial differentiation. Here, we demonstrate how surface tension gradients, facilitated by a linear amphiphile molecule, generate Marangoni flows that coordinate the positioning of amphiphile source and drain droplets floating at air-water interfaces. Importantly, at the same time, this amphiphile leads, via buckling instabilities in lamellar systems of said amphiphile, to the assembly of millimeter long filaments that grow from the source droplets and get absorbed at the drain droplets. Thereby, the Marangoni flows and filament organization together sustain the autonomous positioning of interconnected droplet-filament networks at the mesoscale. Our concepts provide potential for the development of non-equilibrium matter with spatiotemporal programmability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno van der Weijden
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Mitch Winkens
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra M C Schoenmakers
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelm T S Huck
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A Korevaar
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands.
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Liu Y, Wu P. Chirally Reversed Graphene Oxide Liquid Crystals. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2001269. [PMID: 32832370 PMCID: PMC7435251 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal liquid crystals (LCs) formed by nanoparticles hold great promise for creating new structures and topologies. However, achieving highly ordered hierarchical architectures and stable topological configurations is extremely challenging, mainly due to the liquid-like fluidity of colloidal LCs in nature. Herein, an innovative synchronous nanofluidic rectification (SNR) technique for generating ultralong graphene oxide (GO) liquid crystal (GOLC) fibers with hierarchical core-skin architectures is presented, in which the GO sheet assemblies and hydrogel skin formation are synchronous. The SNR technique conceptually follows two design principles: horizontal polymer-flow promotes the rapid planar alignment of GO sheets and drives the chiral-reversing of cholesteric GOLCs, and in situ formed hydrogel skin affords some protection against environmental impact to maintain stable topological configurations. Importantly, the dried fibers retain the smooth surface and ordered internal structures, achieving high mechanical strength and flexibility. The linear and circular polarization potential of GOLC fibers are demonstrated for optical sensing and recognition. This work may open an avenue toward the scalable manufacture of uniform and robust, yet highly anisotropic, fiber-shaped functional materials with complex internal architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Engineering of PolymersDepartment of Macromolecular ScienceFudan UniversityShanghai200433China
| | - Peiyi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Engineering of PolymersDepartment of Macromolecular ScienceFudan UniversityShanghai200433China
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer MaterialsCollege of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology & Center for Advanced Low‐dimension MaterialsDonghua University2999 North Renmin RoadShanghai201620China
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Mu B, Li X, Zhao Y, Quan X, Tian W. Processing-Dependent Lamellar Polymorphism of Hyperbranched Liquid-Crystalline Polymer with Variable Light Emission. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Mu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Xun Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Xuhong Quan
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Wei Tian
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
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32
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Abstract
This work provides a clearer picture for non-classical nucleation by revealing the presence of various intermediates using advanced characterization techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Jin
- Physical Sciences Division
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Richland
- USA
- Department of Chemistry
| | - Zhaoming Liu
- Department of Chemistry
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou
- China
| | - Ruikang Tang
- Department of Chemistry
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou
- China
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