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Yang Y, Shtukenberg AG, Zhou H, Ruzie C, Geerts YH, Lee SS, Kahr B. Coherence in Polycrystalline Thin Films of Twisted Molecular Crystals. CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS : A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2024; 36:881-891. [PMID: 38282684 PMCID: PMC10809410 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Helicoidal crystallites in rhythmically banded spherulites manifest spectacular optical patterns in small molecules and polymers. It is shown that concentric optical bands indicating crystallographic orientations typically lose coherence (in-phase twisting) with growth from the center of nucleation. Here, coherence is shown to increase as the twist period decreases for seven molecular crystals grown from the melt. This dependence was correlated to crystallite fiber thickness and length, as well as crystallite branching frequency, a parameter that was extracted from scanning electron micrographs, and supported by numerical simulations. Hole mobilities for 2,5-didodecyl-3,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4(2H,5H)-dione (DPP-C12) measured by using organic field-effect transistors demonstrated that more incoherent boundaries between optical bands in spherulites lead to higher charge transport for films with the same twist period. This was rationalized by combining our growth model with electrodynamic simulations. This work illustrates the emergence of complexity in crystallization processes (spherulite formation) that arises in the extra variable of helicoidal radial twisting. The details of the patterns analyzed here link the added complexity in crystal growth to the electronic and optical properties of the thin films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfan Yang
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Alexander G. Shtukenberg
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Hengyu Zhou
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Christian Ruzie
- Laboratoire
de Chimie des Polymères, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe, CP 206/01, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Yves Henri Geerts
- Laboratoire
de Chimie des Polymères, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe, CP 206/01, Brussels 1050, Belgium
- International
Solvay Institutes of Physics and Chemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe, CP 231, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Stephanie S. Lee
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Bart Kahr
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Design Institute, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
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Yang CE, Nagarajan S, Rahmayanti W, Su CC, Woo EM. From Nano-Crystals to Periodically Aggregated Assembly in Arylate Polyesters-Continuous Helicoid or Discrete Cross-Hatch Grating? NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:1016. [PMID: 36985910 PMCID: PMC10052005 DOI: 10.3390/nano13061016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This work used several model arylate polymers with the number of methylene segment n = 3, 9, 10, and 12, which all crystallized to display similar types of periodically banded spherulites at various Tc and kinetic factors. Universal mechanisms of nano- to microscale crystal-by-crystal self-assembly to final periodic aggregates showing alternate birefringence rings were probed via 3D dissection. The fractured interiors of the birefringent-banded poly(decamethylene terephthalate) (PDT) spherulites at Tc = 90 °C revealed multi-shell spheroid bands composed of perpendicularly intersecting lamellae bundles, where each shell (measuring 4 μm) was composed of the interior tangential and radial lamellae, as revealed in the SEM results, and its shell thickness was equal to the optical inter-band spacing (4 μm). The radial-oriented lamellae were at a roughly 90° angle perpendicularly intersecting with the tangential ones; therefore, the top-surface valley band region appeared to be a submerged "U-shape", where the interior radial lamellae were located directly underneath. Furthermore, the universal self-assembly was proved by collective analyses on the three arylate polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-En Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Widyantari Rahmayanti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Chean-Cheng Su
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, No. 700, Kaohsiung University Rd., Nan-Tzu Dist., Kaohsiung 811-48, Taiwan
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
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Huang KY, Huang YZ, Lee LT, Woo EM. Crystal-by-Crystal Assembly in Two Types of Periodically Banded Aggregates of Poly(p-Dioxanone). Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15020393. [PMID: 36679273 PMCID: PMC9866735 DOI: 10.3390/polym15020393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The exterior and interior lamellar assemblies of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) crystallized at 76 °C yield the most regular ones to interpret the 3D assembly mechanisms and potential for structural coloration iridescence, which are investigated using atomic-force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PPDO displays two types of ring-banded spherulites within a range of Tc with dual-type birefringent spherulites (positive and negative-type) only within a narrow range of Tcs = 70−78 °C. At Tc > 80 °C, the inter-band spacing decreases from a maximum and the crystal assembly becomes irregularly corrupted and loses the capacity for light interference. Periodic grating assemblies are probed by in-depth 3D dissection into periodically banded crystal aggregates of poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) to disclose such layered gratings possessing iridescence features similar to nature’s structural coloration. This work amply demonstrates that grating assembly by orderly stacked crystal layers is feasible not only for accounting for the periodic birefringent ring bands with polarized light but also the distinct iridescence by interfering with white light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Ying Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Zhe Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ting Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taichung 407-24, Taiwan
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-6-275-7575 (ext. 62670)
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Huang YZ, Woo EM, Nagarajan S. Periodic Hierarchical Structures in Poly( p-dioxanone) Modulated with Miscible Diluents: Top-Surface and Interior Analyses. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c01893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Zhe Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
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De Vos L, Van de Voorde B, Van Daele L, Dubruel P, Van Vlierberghe S. Poly(alkylene terephthalate)s: From current developments in synthetic strategies towards applications. Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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In-Situ Growth of Nucleus Geometry to Dual Types of Periodically Ringed Assemblies in Poly(nonamethylene terephthalate). CRYSTALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst11111338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring of nucleus geometry and growth into dual types of periodically ring-banded morphology in poly(nonamethylene terephthalate) (PNT), respectively, Type-1 and Type-2, are done with detailed analyses using polarized-light optical microscopy (POM) in-situ CCD recording; the periodic assembly morphologies are characterized using atomic-force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Different annealing treatments (Tmax = 110, 120, 130 °C) are accomplished at a crystallization temperature of 85 °C; effects on the nucleus geometry, number (25–10%) and volume fractions (33–15%) of Type-2 among two types of banded PNT spherulites are expounded. Growth of a specific type of periodically banded PNT spherulite is initiated from either highly elongated sheaf-like or well-rounded nuclei, with the final grown lamellae being self-packed as multi-shell structures. Nucleation geometry and crystallization parameters collectively lead to development of multiple types of banded PNT spherulites of different relative fractions.
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Nagarajan S. Lamellar Assembly Mechanism on Dendritic Ring-Banded Spherulites of Poly(ε-caprolactone). Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100359. [PMID: 34491601 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The self-assembly structures of lamellae in optical ring bands have a critical effect on their optical and physical arrangements. Two different types of dendritic banded spherulites (namely ring-banded and zigzag ring-banded) are formed in poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly (phenyl methacrylate) blend at crystallization temperatures of 42 and 46 °C, respectively. The difference in optical birefringence of ring bands in two types of spherulites is resolved by means of direct morphological comparison. Banded spherulites are fractured carefully to facilitate lamellar orientation analyses of both the top surface and the interior surface. The results have revealed the existence of tree-like dendritic fractal growth lamellar assemblies in both banded spherulites. The optical ring patterns of the banded spherulites are differentiated mainly by the fractal orientation of the edge-on crystal branches in the ridge region. On the basis of detailed morphological analysis, 3D-lamellar assembly mechanisms are proposed to explain the growth of dendritic ring-banded spherulites at 42 °C and dendritic zigzag ring-banded spherulites at 46 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
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Nagarajan S, Woo EM. Periodic Assembly of Polyethylene Spherulites Re-Investigated by Breakthrough Interior Dissection. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2000708. [PMID: 33656218 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A completely novel 3D dissection approach is taken to re-investigate high-density polyethylene (HDPE) crystallized into periodic architectures in a wide range of Tc . This work first discovers that ring bands present in HDPE are crystallized in a quite wide Tc range (90-120 °C) all within regime-III growth. With further detailed analyses of the top-surface-relief patterns and 3D architectures of HDPE spherulites, this work has fully clarified the periodic morphology packed with alternate ways of single-crystal aggregates in correlation with the optical banding patterns. The proposed assembly mechanism sheds light that the periodic bands are actually composed of a cross-hatch grating structure in that the alternately perpendicular orientations from the ridge to valley bands being related to the interior radial to tangential lamellae. Such grating architectures in the interiors of HDPE can be viewed as a mimicry resembling shish-kebab lamellae self-aligned by Archimedean spiral-spins from the nucleus center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
| | - Eamor M Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
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Yang CE, Woo EM, Nagarajan S. Epicycloid extinction-band assembly in Poly(decamethylene terephthalate) confined in thin films and crystallized at high temperatures. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.123256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Mamun A. Detailed thermal analysis of crystallization kinetics and band morphology for future blending of absorbable poly(
p
‐dioxanone) monofilament surgical suture with poly(ε‐caprolactone). POLYM INT 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.6150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Al Mamun
- Department of Physics, College of Science University of Hafr Al Batin, Al Jamiah Hafr Al Batin Saudi Arabia
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Periodic Fractal-Growth Branching to Nano-Structured Grating Aggregation in Phthalic Acid. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4062. [PMID: 32132593 PMCID: PMC7055272 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60782-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-molecule phthalic acid (PA), confined in micrometer thin films, was crystallized in the presence of strongly interacting tannic acid (TA) to investigate crystal assembly and correlation between banded patterns and branching structures. Several compositions of the mixture of ethanol/water solutions and evaporation temperatures were also manipulated to investigate the kinetic effects on the morphology of PA crystals. With increasing evaporation rate, the morphology of PA crystals systematically changes from circular-banded spherulites to highly ordered grating-banded patterns. A unique periodic fractal-branch pattern with contrasted birefringent bands exists at intermediate evaporation rate, and this unique grating architecture has never been found in other banded crystals. Crystal assembly of these three periodic morphologies was analyzed by utilizing atomic-force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to reveal the mechanisms of formation of hierarchical structures of PA. The detailed growth mechanisms of the novel fractal-branching assembly into circular- or grating-banded patterns are analyzed in this work.
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Chen TY, Woo EM, Nagarajan S. Crystal aggregation into periodically grating-banded assemblies in phthalic acid modulated by molten poly(ethylene oxide). CrystEngComm 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ce01366k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
A small-molecule compound, phthalic acid (PA), crystallized in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with various compositions was utilized as a model to investigate the morphology and crystal assembly of periodically ordered structures in banded spherulites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Yu Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- National Cheng Kung University
- Tainan
- Taiwan
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- National Cheng Kung University
- Tainan
- Taiwan
| | - Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- National Cheng Kung University
- Tainan
- Taiwan
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Lee MS, Woo EM. Systematic probing into periodic lamellar assembly via induced cracks in crystallized polyesters. POLYMER 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Yeh YT, Woo EM. Anatomy into Interior Lamellar Assembly in Nuclei-Dependent Diversified Morphologies of Poly(l-lactic acid). Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Yeh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
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