1
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Mizoshita N, Yamada Y, Masuoka Y. Self-Assembled Molecular Fibers Aligned by Compression in Water. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2402570. [PMID: 38682735 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202402570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Molecular self-assembly has attracted much attention as a potential approach for fabricating nanostructured functional materials. To date, energy-efficient fabrication of nano-objects such as nanofibers, nanorings, and nanotubes is achieved using well-designed self-assembling molecules. However, the application of molecular self-assembly to industrial manufacturing processes remains challenging because regulating the positions and directions of self-assembled products is difficult. Non-covalent molecular assemblies are also too fragile to allow mechanical handling. The present work demonstrates the macroscopic alignment of self-assembled molecular fibers using compression. Specifically, the macroscopic bundling of self-assembled nanofibers is achieved following dispersion in water. These fiber bundles can also be chemically crosslinked without drastic changes in morphology via trialkoxysilyl groups. Subsequently, vertically oriented porous membranes can be produced rapidly by slicing the bundles. This technique is expected to be applicable to various functional self-assembled fibers and can lead to the development of innovative methods of producing anisotropic nanostructured materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuri Yamada
- Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc., Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1192, Japan
| | - Yumi Masuoka
- Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc., Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1192, Japan
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2
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Derry MJ, Mykhaylyk OO, Armes SP. Shear-induced alignment of block copolymer worms in mineral oil. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:8867-8876. [PMID: 34542137 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01011e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Poly(stearyl methacrylate)-poly(benzyl methacrylate) [PSMA-PBzMA] diblock copolymer worms were synthesized directly in mineral oil via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization at 90 °C. Free-standing gels were obtained from this polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) formulation when targeting PSMA13-PBzMA65 dispersions at 5% w/w to 20% w/w copolymer concentration. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) studies indicated that almost identical copolymer chains were obtained in all cases, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies confirmed that highly anisotropic worms were formed with mean cross-sectional diameters of 11.9-13.1 nm. These worms undergo a thermoreversible worm-to-sphere transition on heating up to 150 °C. Rheological studies were conducted to characterize the shear rate- and concentration-dependent behaviour caused by this change in copolymer morphology, where the initial shear-thinning worm gels form spheres (i.e. a Newtonian fluid) on heating up to 150 °C. Complementary shear-induced polarized light imaging (SIPLI) experiments confirmed the formation of aligned linear worms under applied shear between 80 °C and 110 °C, with high-viscosity dispersions of branched worms being obtained at 20-60 °C and low-viscosity spheres being produced at 150 °C. This study informs the use of such block copolymer worms as rheology modifiers for non-polar oils, which is of potential interest for the automotive industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Derry
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, Brook Hill, Sheffield, S3 7HF, UK.
| | - Oleksandr O Mykhaylyk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, Brook Hill, Sheffield, S3 7HF, UK.
| | - Steven P Armes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, Brook Hill, Sheffield, S3 7HF, UK.
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3
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McDowall D, Walker M, Vassalli M, Cantini M, Khunti N, Edwards-Gayle CJC, Cowieson N, Adams DJ. Controlling the formation and alignment of low molecular weight gel 'noodles'. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:8782-8785. [PMID: 34378594 PMCID: PMC8447933 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc03378f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We show how to control the formation and alignment of gel ‘noodles’. Nanostructure alignment can be achieved reproducibly by extensional deformation as the filaments form. Using a spinning technique, very long and highly aligned filaments can be made. The Young's moduli of the gel noodles are similar to that of a bulk gel. By using two syringe pumps in a concentric flow setup, we show that a filament-in-filament morphology can be created. Extensional deformations induce nanostructure alignment in low molecular weight gel noodles during injection.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel McDowall
- Joseph Black Building, University Place, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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4
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Cross ER, Coulter SM, Fuentes-Caparrós AM, McAulay K, Schweins R, Laverty G, Adams DJ. Tuning the antimicrobial activity of low molecular weight hydrogels using dopamine autoxidation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 56:8135-8138. [PMID: 32691773 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc02569k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We present a method to trigger the formation of dipeptide-based hydrogels by the simple addition of dopamine. Dopamine undergoes oxidation in air, reducing the pH to induce gelation. The production of polydopamine and release of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide confers antimicrobial activity. Gel stiffness can be controlled by modulating the initial starting pH of the gelator solution. We can use this method to tune the antimicrobial activity of the gels, with gels that are less stiff demonstrating increased bactericidal efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Cross
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Sophie M Coulter
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | | | - Kate McAulay
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Ralf Schweins
- Large Scale Structures Group, Institut Laue - Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Garry Laverty
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - Dave J Adams
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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5
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Adams V, Cameron J, Wallace M, Draper ER. Mechanoresponsive Self-Assembled Perylene Bisimide Films. Chemistry 2020; 26:9879-9882. [PMID: 32484600 PMCID: PMC7522684 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202001805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In this work, self-assembled amino-acid appended perylene bisimides (PBIs) have been studied that when processed into thin films change their resistivity in response to being bent. The PBIs assemble into structures in water and form thin films upon drying. These normally delicate thin films can be tolerant to bending, depending on the aggregates they form. Furthermore, the films then reversibly change their resistivity in response to this mechanical stimulus. This change is proportional to the degree of bending of the film giving them the potential to be used quantitatively to measure mechanical movement, such as in wearable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Adams
- School of ChemistryUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUK
| | - Joseph Cameron
- School of ChemistryUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUK
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6
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Finnigan W, Roberts AD, Ligorio C, Scrutton NS, Breitling R, Blaker JJ, Takano E. The effect of terminal globular domains on the response of recombinant mini-spidroins to fiber spinning triggers. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10671. [PMID: 32606438 PMCID: PMC7327021 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67703-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider silk spidroins consist of long repetitive protein strands, flanked by globular terminal domains. The globular domains are often omitted in recombinant spidroins, but are thought to be essential for the spiders' natural spinning process. Mimicking this spinning process could be an essential step towards producing strong synthetic spider silk. Here we describe the production of a range of mini-spidroins with both terminal domains, and characterize their response to a number of biomimetic spinning triggers. Our results suggest that mini-spidroins which are able to form protein micelles due to the addition of both terminal domains exhibit shear-thinning, a property which native spidroins also show. Furthermore, our data also suggest that a pH drop alone is insufficient to trigger assembly in a wet-spinning process, and must be combined with salting-out for effective fiber formation. With these insights, we applied these assembly triggers for relatively biomimetic wet spinning. This work adds to the foundation of literature for developing improved biomimetic spinning techniques, which ought to result in synthetic silk that more closely approximates the unique properties of native spider silk.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Finnigan
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Aled D Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Cosimo Ligorio
- Department of Materials, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Rainer Breitling
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Jonny J Blaker
- Bio-Active Materials Group, Department of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Eriko Takano
- Department of Chemistry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
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7
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Chalard A, Joseph P, Souleille S, Lonetti B, Saffon-Merceron N, Loubinoux I, Vaysse L, Malaquin L, Fitremann J. Wet spinning and radial self-assembly of a carbohydrate low molecular weight gelator into well organized hydrogel filaments. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:15043-15056. [PMID: 31179473 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr02727k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we describe how a simple single low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) molecule - N-heptyl-d-galactonamide, which is easy to produce at the gram scale - is spun into gel filaments by a wet spinning process based on solvent exchange. A solution of the gelator in DMSO is injected into water and the solvent diffusion triggers the supramolecular self-assembly of the N-heptyl-d-galactonamide molecules into nanometric fibers. These fibers entrap around 97% of water, thus forming a highly hydrated hydrogel filament, deposited in a well organized coil and locally aligned. This self-assembly mechanism also leads to a very narrow distribution of the supramolecular fiber width, around 150 nm. In addition, the self-assembled fibers are oriented radially inside the wet-spun filaments and at a high flow rate, fibers are organized in spirals. As a result, this process gives rise to a high control of the gelator self-assembly compared with the usual thermal sol-gel transition. This method also opens the way to the controlled extrusion at room temperature of these very simple, soft, biocompatible but delicate hydrogels. The gelator concentration and the flow rates leading to the formation of the gel filaments have been screened. The filament diameter, its internal morphology, the solvent exchange and the velocity of the jet have been investigated by video image analysis and electron microscopy. The stability of these delicate hydrogel ropes has been studied, revealing a polymorphic transformation into macroscopic crystals with time under some storage conditions. The cell viability of a neuronal cell line on the filaments has also been estimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Chalard
- IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Bat 2R1, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
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8
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Alexander SLM, Korley LTJ. Restricting Molecular Mobility in Polymer Nanocomposites with Self-Assembling Low-Molecular-Weight Gel Additives. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:43040-43048. [PMID: 30499650 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b15112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Multiscale investigation of molecular gel additives in polymer matrices guides understanding of how solution-state assemblies result in mechanically enhanced, solid-state nanocomposites. Model polymers, poly(ethylene oxide- co-epichlorohydrin) (EO-EPI) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), were utilized as matrices and reinforced by cholesterol-pyridine (CP) nanofiber networks. The CP nanofillers suppress ethylene oxide segment melting for EO-EPI composites, whereas for PVAc nanocomposites, cause a polymer-gel dissociation transition. Incorporation of crystalline CP fiber networks led to an order of magnitude increase in tensile storage modulus due to restrictions on polymer chain mobility. This decrease in molecular mobility was confirmed by decreased loss moduli for both EO-EPI and PVAc composites. Excitingly, PVAc nanocomposites display an additional relaxation mode caused by release of PVAc chains from the transient molecular gel assembly. For both EO-EPI and PVAc composites, bulk flow can be suppressed to temperatures up to 100 °C by simply increasing the CP concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Symone L M Alexander
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , University of Delaware , Newark , Delaware 19716 , United States
| | - LaShanda T J Korley
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , University of Delaware , Newark , Delaware 19716 , United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering , University of Delaware , Newark , Delaware 19716 , United States
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9
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Draper ER, Wallace M, Honecker D, Adams DJ. Aligning self-assembled perylene bisimides in a magnetic field. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:10977-10980. [PMID: 30209449 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc05968c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Photoconductive self-assembled 1D structures can be formed by perylene bisimides. These structures are generally randomly orientated, limiting their applications as conductive wires. Here, we show that magnetic fields can be used to create highly aligned, directionally-dependent thin films. This approach leads to well-aligned structures over large areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Draper
- School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, WESTChem, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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10
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Draper ER, Dietrich B, Adams DJ. Self-assembly, self-sorting, and electronic properties of a diketopyrrolopyrrole hydrogelator. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 53:1864-1867. [PMID: 28111678 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc10083j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We show here the first example of a hydrogel formed from a symmetrically functionalised diketopyrrolopyrrole aromatic core. Gelation is triggered by change in pH. Not only does this gelator form aggregated, entangled structures at low pH, but it also forms worm-like micelles at high pH. The structures at high pH can be aligned using shear to provide conductive materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Draper
- School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Bart Dietrich
- School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Dave J Adams
- School of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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11
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Draper ER, Archibald LJ, Nolan MC, Schweins R, Zwijnenburg MA, Sproules S, Adams DJ. Controlling Photoconductivity in PBI Films by Supramolecular Assembly. Chemistry 2018; 24:4006-4010. [PMID: 29405458 PMCID: PMC5887895 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201800201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Perylene bisimides (PBIs) self-assemble in solution. The solubility of the PBIs is commonly changed through the choice of substituents at the imide positions. It is generally assumed this substitution does not affect the electronic properties of the PBI, and that the properties of the self-assembled aggregate are essentially that of the isolated molecule. However, substituents do affect the self-assembly, resulting in potentially different packing in the formed aggregates. Here, we show that the photoconductivity of films formed from a library of substituted PBIs varies strongly with the substituent and demonstrate that this is due to the different ways in which they pack. Our results open the possibility for tuning the optoelectronic properties of self-assembled PBIs by controlling the aggregate structure through careful choice of substituent, as demonstrated by us here optimising the photoconductivity of PBI films in this way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Draper
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | | | - Michael C Nolan
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | - Ralf Schweins
- Institut Laue-Langevin, Large Structures Group, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042, Grenoble CEDEX 9, France
| | - Martijn A Zwijnenburg
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Stephen Sproules
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Dave J Adams
- School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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12
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Draper ER, Dietrich B, Brasnett C, Sproules S, McDonald TO, Seddon AM, Adams DJ. P-Type Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrogelators. Macromol Rapid Commun 2018; 39:e1700746. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.201700746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. Draper
- School of Chemistry; University of Glasgow; Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
| | - Bart Dietrich
- School of Chemistry; University of Glasgow; Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
| | - Christopher Brasnett
- School of Physics; HH Wills Physics Laboratory; University of Bristol; Bristol BS8 1FD UK
| | | | - Tom O. McDonald
- Department of Chemistry; University of Liverpool; Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
| | - Annela M. Seddon
- School of Physics; HH Wills Physics Laboratory; University of Bristol; Bristol BS8 1FD UK
- Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials; School of Physics; HH Wills Physics Laboratory; University of Bristol; Bristol BS8 1FD UK
| | - Dave J. Adams
- School of Chemistry; University of Glasgow; Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
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13
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Castilla AM, Draper ER, Nolan MC, Brasnett C, Seddon A, Mears LLE, Cowieson N, Adams DJ. Self-sorted Oligophenylvinylene and Perylene Bisimide Hydrogels. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8380. [PMID: 28827598 PMCID: PMC5566499 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08644-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe two component hydrogels with networks composed of self-sorted fibres. The component gelators are based on 1,4-distyrylbenzene (OPV3) and perylene bisimide (PBI) units. Self-sorted gels can be formed by a slow decrease in pH, which leads to sequential assembly. We demonstrate self-sorting by NMR, rheology and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Photoconductive xerogels can be prepared by drying these gels. The wavelength response of the xerogel is different to that of the PBI alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Castilla
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | - Emily R Draper
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK.,School of Chemistry, WestCHEM, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Michael C Nolan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK.,School of Chemistry, WestCHEM, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Christopher Brasnett
- School of Physics, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, Tyndall Avenue, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Annela Seddon
- School of Physics, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, Tyndall Avenue, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK.,Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, Tyndall Avenue, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TL, UK
| | - Laura L E Mears
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK
| | - Nathan Cowieson
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, UK
| | - Dave J Adams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, UK. .,School of Chemistry, WestCHEM, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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14
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Draper ER, Greeves BJ, Barrow M, Schweins R, Zwijnenburg MA, Adams DJ. pH-Directed Aggregation to Control Photoconductivity in Self-Assembled Perylene Bisimides. Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2017.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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15
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Draper ER, Lee JR, Wallace M, Jäckel F, Cowan AJ, Adams DJ. Self-sorted photoconductive xerogels. Chem Sci 2016; 7:6499-6505. [PMID: 28451108 PMCID: PMC5355952 DOI: 10.1039/c6sc02644c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-sorting between n-type and p-type gelators results in effective visible-active photoconductive xerogels.
We show that a perylene bisimide (PBI)-based gelator forms self-sorted mixtures with a stilbene-based gelator. To form the self-sorted gels, we use a slow pH change induced by the hydrolysis of glucono-δ-lactone (GdL) to gluconic acid. We prove that self-sorting occurs using NMR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, rheology, and viscometry. The corresponding xerogels are photoconductive. Importantly, the wavelength dependence of the photoconductive films is different to that of the films formed from the perylene bisimide alone. Transient absorption spectroscopy of the xerogels reveals changes in the spectrum of the PBI on the picosecond timescale in the presence of stilbene with a PBI radical anion being formed within 10 ps when the stilbene is present. The ability to form the PBI radical anion under visible light leads to the enhanced spectral response of the multicomponent gels. These systems therefore have potential as useful visible-active optoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Draper
- Department of Chemistry , University of Liverpool , Crown Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZD , UK .
| | - Jonathan R Lee
- Department of Physics , University of Liverpool , Oxford Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZE , UK.,Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy , University of Liverpool , Peach Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZF , UK
| | - Matthew Wallace
- Department of Chemistry , University of Liverpool , Crown Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZD , UK .
| | - Frank Jäckel
- Department of Physics , University of Liverpool , Oxford Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZE , UK.,Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy , University of Liverpool , Peach Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZF , UK
| | - Alexander J Cowan
- Department of Chemistry , University of Liverpool , Crown Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZD , UK . .,Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy , University of Liverpool , Peach Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZF , UK
| | - Dave J Adams
- Department of Chemistry , University of Liverpool , Crown Street , Liverpool , L69 7ZD , UK .
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