1
|
Xu F, Feringa BL. Photoresponsive Supramolecular Polymers: From Light-Controlled Small Molecules to Smart Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2204413. [PMID: 36239270 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Photoresponsive supramolecular polymers are well-organized assemblies based on highly oriented and reversible noncovalent interactions containing photosensitive molecules as (co-)monomers. They have attracted increasing interest in smart materials and dynamic systems with precisely controllable functions, such as light-driven soft actuators, photoresponsive fluorescent anticounterfeiting and light-triggered electronic devices. The present review discusses light-activated molecules used in photoresponsive supramolecular polymers with their main photo-induced changes, e.g., geometry, dipole moment, and chirality. Based on these distinct changes, supramolecular polymers formed by light-activated molecules exhibit photoresponsive disassembly and reassembly. As a consequence, photo-induced supramolecular polymerization, "depolymerization," and regulation of the lengths and topologies are observed. Moreover, the light-controlled functions of supramolecular polymers, such as actuation, emission, and chirality transfer along length scales, are highlighted. Furthermore, a perspective on challenges and future opportunities is presented. Besides the challenge of moving from harmful UV light to visible/near IR light avoiding fatigue, and enabling biomedical applications, future opportunities include light-controlled supramolecular actuators with helical motion, light-modulated information transmission, optically recyclable materials, and multi-stimuli-responsive supramolecular systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Xu
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Ben L Feringa
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mu B, Ma T, Zhang Z, Hao X, Wang L, Wang J, Yan H, Tian W. Thermo-Induced Bathochromic Emission in Columnar Discotic Liquid Crystals Realized by Intramolecular Planarization. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202300320. [PMID: 36794471 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202300320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Most organic thermochromic fluorescent materials exhibit thermo-induced hypsochromic emission due to the formation of excimers in ordered molecular solids; however, it is still a challenge to endow them with bathochromic emission despite its significance in making up the field of thermochromism. Here, a thermo-induced bathochromic emission in columnar discotic liquid crystals is reported realized by intramolecular planarization of the mesogenic fluorophores. A three-armed discotic molecule of dialkylamino-tricyanotristyrylbenzene was synthesized, which preferred to twist out of the core plane to accommodate ordered molecular stacking in hexagonal columnar mesophases, giving rise to bright green monomer emission. However, intramolecular planarization of the mesogenic fluorophores occurred in isotropic liquid increasing the conjugation length, and as a result led to thermo-induced bathochromic emission from green to yellow light. This work reports a new concept in the thermochromic field and provides a novel strategy to achieve fluorescence tuning from intramolecular actions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Mu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Tianshu Ma
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Zhelin Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Xiangnan Hao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Liang Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Jingxia Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Hongxia Yan
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| | - Wei Tian
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Hybrid Luminescent Materials and Photonic Device, MOE Key Laboratory of Material Physics and Chemistry under Extraordinary Conditions, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang Y, Ding Z, Ma Y, Jiang S. Morphology-dependent photoresponsive behaviors of a self-assembled system based on a single cyanostilbene derivative. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5850-5856. [PMID: 35904072 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00691j] [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
In recent years, photoresponsive supramolecular self-assemblies have shown great potential in various fields. However, it is still a great challenge to integrate and control multiple photoresponsive behaviors in a self-assembled system. Herein, we design a novel cyanostilbene-based molecule VOE. In the aggregated state, it has different photoresponsive behaviors under different morphologies. When VOE molecules are dispersed in a 70% H2O/THF mixture, two different assembly morphologies are obtained as the aging time changes. One is weakly emissive nanoparticles with amorphous packing arrangements, and the other is highly emissive microbelts with well-ordered stacking modes. When they are irradiated with blue light (420 nm), the disordered assembly structure of nanoparticles leads to a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction, while a Z/E isomerization reaction occurs in ordered packed microbelts. Therefore, we can use a self-assembled system to generate two different morphologies, enabling completely different emissions and photoresponsive behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yangdaiyi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China.
| | - Zeyang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China.
| | - Yao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China.
| | - Shimei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xiao Y, Liu X, Li N, Pang Y, Zheng Z. Central condensed ring changes for manipulating the self-assembly and photophysical behaviors of cyanostilbene-based hexacatenars. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.120029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
|
5
|
Zhang Y, Wang H, Li Q, Chen X. Gelation behavior and supramolecular chirality of a BTA derivative in a deep eutectic solvent. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3241-3248. [PMID: 35393998 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00028h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As novel solvents, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are non-toxic, easily producible and biocompatible, which is attractive for eutectogel fabrication. In this work, a benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) derivative (substituted by three hexanoic acid) was selected to prepare a supramolecular gel in a suitable DES composed of choline chloride and phenylacetic acid molecules. The obtained eutectogel exhibited higher stability than that produced in conventional solvents. The gel microstructure was composed of spiral fiber networks as confirmed from atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observations. Macroscopic chirality was therefore recognized by the circular dichromatic spectrum, though such a supramolecular chiral signal was random. To explore the gelation mechanism, the effect of BTA derivative molecular structure change was systematically investigated. With the help of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction, the gel formation was attributed to the π-π stacking of adjacent BTA molecules and the three-fold hydrogen bond between amide groups or the hydrogen bond between carboxylic groups. Furthermore, the directional hydrogen bonds between BTA and solvent molecules induced their aggregate to form one-dimensional fibers, which were either left- or right-handed. The obtained results not only extend the gel systems in DESs, but also help design the supramolecular chirality from non-chiral molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100, China.
| | - Hejie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100, China.
| | - Qintang Li
- School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Xuzhou University of Technology, Xuzhou, 221018, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu L, Zhang M, Zhu X, Xue C, Wang HX, Liu M. Solvent-Modulated Chiral Self-Assembly: Selective Formation of Helical Nanotubes, Nanotwists, and Energy Transfer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:1765-1773. [PMID: 34965725 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As the medium for self-assembly processes, solvents strongly influence the supramolecular assemblies via specific solute-solvent interactions, which may result in effective modulation of properties, self-assembled nanostructures, and functions through varying the solvent. Here, two kinds of pyridine-cyanostilbene functionalized chiral amphiphiles (l/d-PyPhG and l-PyG) were designed, and their self-assembly behaviors in different solvents were investigated. It was found that both amphiphiles formed gels in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and self-assembled into right-handed nanotwists, while they formed suspensions in ethanol consisting of left-handed nanotubes. Although the molecular chirality in the compounds remained unchanged in the two solvents, the nanoassemblies showed opposite handedness at the nanoscale together with opposite circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) signals. Furthermore, when the amphiphiles were co-assembled with an achiral dye, it was found that efficient energy transfer took place in the systems composed of nanotubes rather than those composed of nanotwists. Therefore, by assembling molecules with the same molecular chirality in different solvents, a selective formation of helical nanotubes or nanotwists and the regulation of handedness as well as energy transfer efficiency were achieved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lifei Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Chenlu Xue
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Han-Xiao Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Minghua Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mu B, Zhang Z, Quan X, Hao X, Tian W. Perylene Bisimide-Based Luminescent Liquid Crystals with Tunable Solid-State Light Emission. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:57786-57795. [PMID: 34821143 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c17280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Perylene bisimides are among the most studied building blocks for supramolecular assemblies in the fabrication of optoelectronic devices for their exceptional optical and electronic properties; however, developing perylene bisimide-based luminescent liquid crystals remains a challenge for the strong π-stacking tendency of the large planar aromatic core to quench the emission. We here reported a novel strategy to achieve luminescent liquid crystals based on perylene bisimides by introducing a conformation-adjustable core to control the molecular stacking arrangement of planar perylene bisimides in the solid state. The emission wavelength is in the deep-red region with a luminescence efficiency of up to 10%. Fluorescence properties of the liquid crystals can be further regulated by photoisomerization-induced structural evolution from columnar to lamellar mesophases. These luminescent liquid crystals are also able to not only exhibit strong emission at high temperatures but also show attractive thermochromic luminescence tuning behaviors. This work provides a new strategy for the design and development of novel solid-state luminescent materials with potential for various optoelectronic applications.
Collapse
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
| | - Zhelin Zhang
- 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
| | - Xiangnan Hao
- 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
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Volarić J, Szymanski W, Simeth NA, Feringa BL. Molecular photoswitches in aqueous environments. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:12377-12449. [PMID: 34590636 PMCID: PMC8591629 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00547a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Molecular photoswitches enable dynamic control of processes with high spatiotemporal precision, using light as external stimulus, and hence are ideal tools for different research areas spanning from chemical biology to smart materials. Photoswitches are typically organic molecules that feature extended aromatic systems to make them responsive to (visible) light. However, this renders them inherently lipophilic, while water-solubility is of crucial importance to apply photoswitchable organic molecules in biological systems, like in the rapidly emerging field of photopharmacology. Several strategies for solubilizing organic molecules in water are known, but there are not yet clear rules for applying them to photoswitchable molecules. Importantly, rendering photoswitches water-soluble has a serious impact on both their photophysical and biological properties, which must be taken into consideration when designing new systems. Altogether, these aspects pose considerable challenges for successfully applying molecular photoswitches in aqueous systems, and in particular in biologically relevant media. In this review, we focus on fully water-soluble photoswitches, such as those used in biological environments, in both in vitro and in vivo studies. We discuss the design principles and prospects for water-soluble photoswitches to inspire and enable their future applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Volarić
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Wiktor Szymanski
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nadja A Simeth
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Göttingen, Tammannstr. 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ben L Feringa
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, Faculty for Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang Q, Wu Z, Qin P, Ji J, Lai L, Yin M. Photoregulated Morphological Transformation of Spiropyran Derivatives Achieving the Tunability of Interfacial Hydrophilicity. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:11170-11175. [PMID: 34478307 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of self-assembly morphology is an effective strategy to obtain advanced functional materials with expected properties. However, achieving remarkable morphological transformation by light irradiation is still a challenge. Herein, three simple spiropyran derivatives (SP1, SP2, and SP3) are constructed, achieving different degrees of morphological transformation from nanospheres to hollow tadpole-like structures (SP3), tubular structures (SP2), and microsheets (SP1) after ultraviolet light irradiation. Interestingly, the hollow tadpole-like structures (SP3) can further extend to Y-shaped or T-shaped tubular morphology. In the process, SP1, SP2, and SP3 can be isomerized from a closed-ring form (hydrophobicity) to an open-ring form (hydrophilicity) in different degrees, interacting differently with methanol solvent molecules. The formation of hollow structures or microsheets along with the isomerization of spiropyran derivatives contributes to the adjustment of the hydrophilicity of the interface. Therefore, SP1, SP2, and SP3 with photoregulated morphological transformation show promising applications in tunable interface materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Penghua Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Liming Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Meizhen Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| |
Collapse
|