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Sevim S, Sorrenti A, Franco C, Furukawa S, Pané S, deMello AJ, Puigmartí-Luis J. Self-assembled materials and supramolecular chemistry within microfluidic environments: from common thermodynamic states to non-equilibrium structures. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:3788-3803. [PMID: 29714390 PMCID: PMC5989397 DOI: 10.1039/c8cs00025e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembly is a crucial component in the bottom-up fabrication of hierarchical supramolecular structures and advanced functional materials. Control has traditionally relied on the use of encoded building blocks bearing suitable moieties for recognition and interaction, with targeting of the thermodynamic equilibrium state. On the other hand, nature leverages the control of reaction-diffusion processes to create hierarchically organized materials with surprisingly complex biological functions. Indeed, under non-equilibrium conditions (kinetic control), the spatio-temporal command of chemical gradients and reactant mixing during self-assembly (the creation of non-uniform chemical environments for example) can strongly affect the outcome of the self-assembly process. This directly enables a precise control over material properties and functions. In this tutorial review, we show how the unique physical conditions offered by microfluidic technologies can be advantageously used to control the self-assembly of materials and of supramolecular aggregates in solution, making possible the isolation of intermediate states and unprecedented non-equilibrium structures, as well as the emergence of novel functions. Selected examples from the literature will be used to confirm that microfluidic devices are an invaluable toolbox technology for unveiling, understanding and steering self-assembly pathways to desired structures, properties and functions, as well as advanced processing tools for device fabrication and integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Sevim
- Institute for Chemical & Bioengineering
, Department of Chemistry & Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich
,
Zurich 8093
, Switzerland
.
;
| | - A. Sorrenti
- Institute for Chemical & Bioengineering
, Department of Chemistry & Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich
,
Zurich 8093
, Switzerland
.
;
| | - C. Franco
- Institute for Chemical & Bioengineering
, Department of Chemistry & Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich
,
Zurich 8093
, Switzerland
.
;
| | - S. Furukawa
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS)
, Kyoto University
, Yoshida
,
Sakyo-ku
, Kyoto 606-8501
, Japan
| | - S. Pané
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab (MSRL)
, Institute of Robotics & Intelligent Systems (IRIS)
, ETH Zurich
,
Zurich 8092
, Switzerland
| | - A. J. deMello
- Institute for Chemical & Bioengineering
, Department of Chemistry & Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich
,
Zurich 8093
, Switzerland
.
;
| | - J. Puigmartí-Luis
- Institute for Chemical & Bioengineering
, Department of Chemistry & Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich
,
Zurich 8093
, Switzerland
.
;
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2
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Jin L, Yin B. T-shaped monopyridazinotetrathiafulvalene-amino acid diad based chiral organogels with aggregation-induced fluorescence emission. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:6373-6384. [PMID: 27418524 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm01249c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A series of pyridazine coupled tetrathiafulvalene T-shaped derivatives with varying amino acid moieties have been synthesized and their gelation properties were studied in various organic solvents. Among these derivatives, two gelators bearing glycine or phenylalanine units display efficient gelation in aromatic and polar solvents. Interestingly, these gelators, except for the gelator containing two tryptophan units, are able to gel DMF via a solution-to-gel transformation when triggered with sonication for less than 20 s or cooled below zero. A number of experiments revealed that these gelator molecules self-assembled into elastically interpenetrating three-dimensional chiral fibrillar aggregates. Importantly, all of the resulting gels result in a dramatic enhancement of the fluorescence intensity compared with their hot solution in spite of the absence of a conventional fluorophore unit and the fluorescence was effectively quenched by the introduction of C60. Moreover, the gelators can be utilized for the removal of different types of toxic molecules, such as aromatic solvents and cationic dyes, from wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- A Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Yanbian University, Ministry of Education, Yanji, Jilin 133002, P. R. China.
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Yu Y, Yang L, Liu C, Tian WQ, Wang Y, Lei S. The hierarchical construction of cross-junctions of molecular wires with covalent and noncovalent interactions at the liquid/solid interface. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:8317-20. [PMID: 27296368 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc02975b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hierarchical networks, constructed by non-covalent bond stabilized cross-junctions of covalent one-dimensional molecular wires, are synergistically formed at the liquid/solid interface through in situ on-surface condensation of aromatic amines and aldehydes. Our investigation demonstrates the significant impact of the concentration and structure of monomers on the hierarchical construction of these nanoarchitectures at the interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxia Yu
- Key Laboratory of Microsystems and Microstructures Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, People's Republic of China.
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Liu Y, Wang Y, Jin L, Chen T, Yin B. MPTTF-containing tripeptide-based organogels: receptor for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol and multiple stimuli-responsive properties. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:934-945. [PMID: 26563974 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm02462e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A series of monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalene-tripeptide conjugates have been synthesized and investigated as new low-molecular mass organogelators. It was found that most of these compounds could immobilize low-polarity solvents readily and the gelation behaviors of these gelators showed a dependence on the amino acid residues. These organogels were thoroughly studied using various techniques including atomic force microscopy (AFM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the cooperative interplay of hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking and SS interactions were the main driving force for the formation of the gels. Of all the organogels, the aromatic solvent gels, such as toluene gel, exhibited multiple-stimulus responsiveness towards heating, shaking, chemical redox activity and the presence of anions, thus leading to reversible sol-gel phase transitions. Most interestingly, gelation in the presence of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) in organic solvents could be observed visually with a concomitant color change through donor-acceptor interactions. The strength of the charge-transfer interaction between gelators and TNP was proportional to the incubation time and increasing critical gelation concentration (CGC). The gels could function as efficient absorbents for potential application in removal of crystal violet and rhodamine B dyes from water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules, Yanbian University, Ministry of Education, Yanji, Jilin 133002, P. R. China.
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Tanphibal P, Tashiro K, Chirachanchai S. Molecular assembly of highly symmetric molecules under a hydrogen bond framework controlled by alkyl building blocks: a simple approach to fine-tune nanoscale structures. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:486-491. [PMID: 26482133 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm02005k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
To date, molecular assemblies under the contribution of hydrogen bond in combination with weak interactions and their consequent morphologies have been variously reported; however, how the systematic variation of the structure can fine-tune the morphologies has not yet been answered. The present work finds an answer through highly symmetric molecules, i.e. diamine-based benzoxazine dimers. This type of molecule develops unique molecular assemblies with their networks formed by hydrogen bonds at the terminal, while, at the same time, their hydrogen bonded frameworks are further controlled by the hydrophobic segment at the center of the molecule. When this happens, slight differences in hydrophobic alkyl chain lengths (, , and ) bring a significant change to the molecular assemblies, thus resulting in tunable morphologies, i.e. spheres, needles and dendrites. The superimposition between the crystal lattice obtained from X-ray single crystal analysis and the electron diffraction pattern obtained from transmission electron microscopy allows us to identify the molecular alignment from single molecules to self-assembly until the morphologies developed. The present work, for the first time, shows the case of symmetric molecules, where the hydrophobic building block controls the hydrogen bond patterns, leading to the variation of molecular assemblies with tunable morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pimsai Tanphibal
- The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kohji Tashiro
- Department of Future Industry-oriented Basic Science and Materials, Toyota Technological Institute, Tempaku, Nagoya 468-8511, Japan.
| | - Suwabun Chirachanchai
- The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand and Center for Petroleum, Petrochemical, and Advance Materials, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Liu Y, Dai Y, Yin B. Gel properties of T-shaped tetrathiafulvalene–pyridazine conjugates and F4TCNQ-induced morphological transformation. NEW J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5nj02322j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
T-shaped organic π-conjugates and their F4TCNQ charge-transfer (CT) complexes are developed as LMOGs. The morphological changes of the organogels occur obviously due to the CT interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules
- Yanbian University, Ministry of Education
- Yanji
- P. R. China
| | - Yanfeng Dai
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules
- Yanbian University, Ministry of Education
- Yanji
- P. R. China
| | - Bingzhu Yin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Resources of Changbai Mountain & Functional Molecules
- Yanbian University, Ministry of Education
- Yanji
- P. R. China
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Liu Y, Lei W, Chen T, Jin L, Sun G, Yin B. Poly(aryl ether) Dendrons with Monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalene Unit-Based Organogels exhibiting Gel-Induced Enhanced Emission (GIEE). Chemistry 2015; 21:15235-45. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201502044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Liu Y, Zheng N, Chen T, Jin L, Yin B. Monopyrrolotetrathiafulvalene–succinamide conjugates and their TCNQ charge transfer complex based supramolecular gels with multiple stimulus responsiveness. Org Biomol Chem 2014; 12:6927-36. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ob01397b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Li B, Puigmartí-Luis J, Jonas AM, Amabilino DB, De Feyter S. Hierarchical growth of curved organic nanowires upon evaporation induced self-assembly. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:13216-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cc03676j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hierarchical growth of multilayers and complex curved nanostructures including nanospirals and concentric nanorings upon evaporation of a solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Li
- KU Leuven
- Celestijnenlaan 200F
- 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jiosep Puigmartí-Luis
- Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)
- Campus Universitari
- 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alain M. Jonas
- Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences
- Université catholique de Louvain
- 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - David B. Amabilino
- Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)
- Campus Universitari
- 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Lee SL, Wu HJ, Hsu YJ, Chen HH, Hsu HF, Chen CH. Biaxial aromatics with face-on/edge-on stacking adaptability: an STM/STS study of 1D nanowires assembled via rotatable ethynyls. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:14093-6. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cc02704c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Biaxial aromatics with face-on/edge-on stacking adaptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shern-Long Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Emerging Material and Advanced Devices
- National Taiwan University
- Taipei, Taiwan 10617
| | - Hung-Jen Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Emerging Material and Advanced Devices
- National Taiwan University
- Taipei, Taiwan 10617
| | - Yu-Ju Hsu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Emerging Material and Advanced Devices
- National Taiwan University
- Taipei, Taiwan 10617
| | - Hsiu-Hui Chen
- Department of Chemistry
- Tamkang University
- Taipei, Taiwan 25137
| | - Hsiu-Fu Hsu
- Department of Chemistry
- Tamkang University
- Taipei, Taiwan 25137
| | - Chun-hsien Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Emerging Material and Advanced Devices
- National Taiwan University
- Taipei, Taiwan 10617
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Xiang D, Jeong H, Lee T, Mayer D. Mechanically controllable break junctions for molecular electronics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2013; 25:4845-67. [PMID: 23913697 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201301589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
A mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) represents a fundamental technique for the investigation of molecular electronic junctions, especially for the study of the electronic properties of single molecules. With unique advantages, the MCBJ technique has provided substantial insight into charge transport processes in molecules. In this review, the techniques for sample fabrication, operation and the various applications of MCBJs are introduced and the history, challenges and future of MCBJs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Xiang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-747, Korea
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12
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Xu L, Yang L, Lei S. Self-assembly of conjugated oligomers and polymers at the interface: structure and properties. NANOSCALE 2012; 4:4399-4415. [PMID: 22710438 DOI: 10.1039/c2nr30122a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we give a brief account on the recent scanning tunneling microscopy investigation of interfacial structures and properties of π-conjugated semiconducting oligomers and polymers, either at the solid-air (including solid-vacuum) or at the solid-liquid interface. The structural aspects of the self-assembly of both oligomers and polymers are highlighted. Conjugated oligomers can form well ordered supramolecular assemblies either at the air-solid or liquid-solid interface, thanks to the relatively high mobility and structural uniformity in comparison with polymers. The backbone structure, substitution of side chains and functional groups can affect the assembling behavior significantly, which offers the opportunity to tune the supramolecular structure of these conjugated oligomers at the interface. For conjugated polymers, the large molecular weight limits the mobility on the surface and the distribution in size also prevents the formation of long range ordered supramolecular assembly. The submolecular resolution obtained on the assembling monolayers enables a detailed investigation of the chain folding at the interface, both the structural details and the effect on electronic properties. Besides the ability in studying the assembling structures at the interfaces, STM also provides a reasonable way to evaluate the distribution of the molecular weight of conjugated polymers by statistic of the contour length of the adsorbed polymer chains. Both conjugated oligomers and polymers can form composite assemblies with other materials. The ordered assembly of oligomers can act as a template to controllably disperse other molecules such as coronene or fullerene. These investigations open a new avenue to fine tune the assembling structure at the interface and in turn the properties of the composite materials. To summarize scanning tunneling microscopy has demonstrated its surprising ability in the investigation of the assembling structures and properties of conjugated oligomers and polymers. The information obtained could benefit the understanding of the elements affecting the film morphology and helps the optimization of device performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Microsystems and Microstructures Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080, P. R. China
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13
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Hamid AM, Soliman AR, Samy El-Shall M. Assembly of HCN hydrogen bonding chains in the gas phase. Binding energies and structures of phenylacetylene+(HCN)n clusters, n=1–4. Chem Phys Lett 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2012.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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14
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Lee SL, Chu YC, Wu HJ, Chen CH. Template-assisted assembly: scanning tunneling microscopy study of solvent-dependent adlattices of alkyl-derivatized tetrathiafulvalene. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2012; 28:382-388. [PMID: 22077481 DOI: 10.1021/la203148h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The self-assembly of an adsorbate as a function of the strength of solvent-substrate adsorption is an important yet relatively unexplored subject. In this study, how the strength of solvent-substrate adsorption and solvent-solvent attraction affects the assembly of tetrakis(octadecylthio)tetrathiafulvalene (1) is scrutinized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). For solvents with strong intermolecular interactions and adsorption onto graphite, such as long n-alkanes (C(n)H(2n+2), n ≥ 13), STM reveals that the solvent molecules form lamellae which become a template to direct the assembly of 1 into one-dimensional arrays. The lengths of one of the unit cell vectors for the assemblies are increased and well correlated with the solvent sizes. In situ STM monitoring of 1 introduced onto graphite with preadsorbed n-tetradecane adlattices shows that the developed assemblies of 1 have striped features aligned parallel to the underlying template. In contrast, for solvents with weak adsorption, such as short n-alkanes (C(n)H(2n+2), n ≤ 12), toluene, and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, the adlattice structures of 1 are solvent-independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shern-Long Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Emerging Material and Advanced Devices, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617
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