Image contrast analysis of STM images of self-assembled dioctadecyl chalcogenides on graphite at the liquid-solid interface.

The structures of self-assembled monolayers of dioctadecyl selenide (CH3(CH2)17)2Se and dioctadecyl telluride (CH3(CH2)17)2Te, as well as dioctadecyl ether (CH3(CH2)17)2O and dioctadecyl sulfide (CH3(CH2)17)2S, on graphite at the liquid-solid interface were systematically investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Both dioctadecyl selenide and telluride formed monolayer structures in which the tilt angle between the molecular axis of the alkyl chain and the lamellae axis was 90 degrees , while dioctadecyl ether assembled with a tilt angle of 60 degrees . Dioctadecyl sulfide was found to make two different self-assembled structures having tilt angles of 60 and 90 degrees . When selenide was embedded in ether compounds in mixed self-assembled monolayers, the alkyl chains of the selenide became blurred, implying that the alkyl chains in the monolayers were unstable. This is in contrast with the structure of co-adsorbed monolayers of the ether and sulfide compounds, where the images of all alkyl chains had high spatial resolution. For the co-adsorbed monolayers, the image contrast of chalcogen atoms was normalized compared with that of alkyl chains of the ether compound in the same image frame. The normalized image contrast was found to be independent of the measurement conditions involving tip shapes, having the following trend, Te>Se>S>C>O. The difference in the normalized image contrast among chalcogen atoms are discussed based on fundamental parameters like polarizability and atomic radii.     

Self-assembly of Aβ-based peptide amphiphiles with double hydrophobic chains

Two peptide-amphiphiles (PAs), 2C(12)-Lys-Aβ(12-17) and C(12)-Aβ(11-17)-C(12), were constructed with two alkyl chains attached to a key fragment of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ(11-17)) at different positions. The two alkyl chains of 2C(12)-Lys-Aβ(12-17) were attached to the same terminus of Aβ(12-17), while the two alkyl chains of C(12)-Aβ(11-17)-C(12) were separately attached to each terminus of Aβ(11-17). The self-assembly behavior of both the PAs in aqueous solutions was studied at 25 °C and at pHs 3.0, 4.5, 8.5, and 11.0, focusing on the effects of the attached positions of hydrophobic chains to Aβ(11-17) and the net charge quantity of the Aβ(11-17) headgroup. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy show that 2C(12)-Lys-Aβ(12-17) self-assembles into long stable fibrils over the entire pH range, while C(12)-Aβ(11-17)-C(12) forms short twisted ribbons and lamellae by adjusting pHs. The above fibrils, ribbons, and lamellae are generated by the lateral association of nanofibrils. Circular dichroism spectroscopy suggests the formation of β-sheet structure with twist and disorder to different extents in the aggregates of both the PAs. Some of the C(12)-Aβ(11-17)-C(12) molecules adopt turn conformation with the weakly charged peptide sequence, and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicates that the turn content increases with the pH increase. This work provides additional basis for the manipulations of the PA's nanostructures and will lead to the development of tunable nanostructure materials.     

Molecular structure and dynamics at the interfaces within bulk heterojunction materials for solar cells

The molecular structures within the interfaces of the bulk heterojunction material comprising regioregular-poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl), rrP3HT, and C(60) or its soluble derivative, [6,6]-phenyl-C(61)butyric acid methyl ester, PCBM, have been studied by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The local structure within the interface was inferred from chemical shift (CS) data obtained from composite films (CFs) fabricated at room temperature (PCBMCF-RT and C(60)CF-RT) and from CFs that had been subsequently annealed at 150 degrees C for 30 min (PCBMCF-A150 and C(60)CF-150A). In PCBMCF-RT, the alkyl side chains of rrP3HT are close to the C(60) ball; C(60) is essentially 'wrapped' by the alkyl side chains. In PCBMCF-A150, the alkyl side chains self-assemble such that rrP3HT and PCBM are separated. The observation of well-defined splittings in the CS spectrum of the (13)C of C(60) in C(60)CF-A150 indicates a distortion from spherical symmetry. Measurements of the spin-lattice relaxation rate, 1/T(1), of C(60) imply local magnetic field fluctuations that arise from the dynamics of the C(60) distortion.     

Hydrogen bonding versus van der Waals interactions: competitive influence of noncovalent interactions on 2D self-assembly at the liquid-solid interface

The structures of the self-assembled monolayers of various 4-alkoxybenzoic acids physisorbed at the liquid-solid interface were established by employing scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). This study has been essentially undertaken to explore the competitive influence of van der Waals and hydrogen-bonding interactions on the process of two-dimensional self-assembly. These acid derivatives form hydrogen-bonded dimers as expected; however, the dimers organise themselves in the form of relatively complex lamellae. The characteristic feature of these lamellae is the presence of regular discommensurations or kinks along the lamella propagation direction. The formation of kinked lamellae is discussed in light of the registry mechanism of the alkyl chains with the underlying graphite substrate. The location of the kinks along a lamella depends on the number (odd or even) of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. This result indicates that concerted van der Waals interactions of the alkyl chain units introduce the odd/even chain-length effect on the surface-assembled supramolecular patterns. The odd/even effects are retained even upon complexation with a hydrogen-bond acceptor. However, as the solvent is changed from 1-phenyloctane to 1-octanoic acid, the kinked lamellae as well as the odd/even effects disappear. This solvent-induced convergence of supramolecular patterns is attained by means of co-crystallisation of octanoic acid molecules in the 2D crystal lattice, which is evident from high-resolution STM images. The solvent co-adsorption phenomenon is discussed in terms of competing van der Waals and hydrogen-bonding interactions.     

Electron transport and electrochemistry of mesomorphic fullerenes with long-range ordered lamellae

Fullerenes, C60, modified with long alkyl chains form long-range ordered lamellar mesophases permitting a high C60 content. The mesomorphic fullerenes feature reversible electrochemistry and a comparably high electron carrier mobility making them attractive components for fullerene-based soft materials.     

Toward controlled spacing in one-dimensional molecular chains: alkyl-chain-functionalized fullerenes in carbon nanotubes

A range of fullerenes (C60) functionalized with long alkyl chains have been synthesized and inserted into single-walled carbon nanotubes. The impact of the alkyl chain length and of the type of linker between the addend and the fullerene cage on the geometry of molecular arrays in nanotube has been studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In the presence of functional groups the mean interfullerene separations are significantly increased by 2-8 nm depending on the length of the alkyl chain, but the periodicity of the fullerene arrays is disrupted due to the conformational flexibility of the alkyl groups.     

New concepts for regio- and stereoselective bis- and triscyclopropanations of C60

The synthesis of isomerically multiple adducts of C(60) with a defined three-dimensional structure is still one of the most challenging tasks of exohedral fullerene chemistry. The inherent regioselectivity of successive additions of addends such as malonates to the fullerene's [6,6]-double bonds is only moderate. In most cases difficult-to-isolate mixtures of regioisomers are obtained. The regioselectivity can be significantly improved if multifunctional addends able to undergo two or more additions are allowed to react with C(60). Preorganization and minimization of strain energy within the addend skeleton reduce the number of sterically allowed addition patterns. Improved concepts for highly regio- and stereoselective bis- and triscyclopropanations of C(60) are described. Two examples of the bisadditions with complete regioselectivity leading to trans-2- and cis-2 are presented. Here, the two malonate binding sites are linked by rigid tetraphenylporphyrin and calix-[4]-arene spacers. Selective trisadditions were achieved with the easy-to-synthesize and easy-to-modify tripodal addends 5-7, where the malonates are held together by a focal aryl moiety. Another very elegant approach for bis- and trisadditions involves cyclo-[n]-alkylmalonates. Selection between addition patterns with and without rotational axes is possible by choosing the right combinations of the flexible alkyl chains connecting the malonates. If alkyl chains of identical lengths are used bis- and trisadducts such as 19-21 and 25 with rotational symmetry are formed with high regioselectivity. These addition patterns are avoided if cyclo-[n]-malonates containing alkyl chains of different lengths are employed. In this case adducts such as 26 and 27 with C(s)-symmetry are formed. The use of the chiral cyclo-[3]-malonate 28 allows for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of the enantiomerically pure e,e,e-trisadducts 29 and 30 containing an inherently chiral addition pattern with C(3)-symmetry.     

Self-assembling bilayers of palladiumthiolates in organic media

Alkylthiolates of palladium forming a homologous series (butyl to octadecyl) have been prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction and STM. The thiolates adopt an unusual bilayered lamellar structure, whose thickness is governed by the length of the alkyl chain. These mesophases melt in the temperature range, 60° to 100°C, with the melting point increasing linearly with the thiol chain length. There is evidence to suggest that the alkyl chains are orientationally disordered especially prior to melting.     

The structure of mixed nonionic surfactant monolayers at the air-water interface: the effects of different alkyl chain lengths

The structure of mixed nonionic surfactant monolayers of monodecyl hexaethylene glycol (C10E6) and monotetradecyl hexaethylene glycol (C14E6) adsorbed at the air-water interface has been determined by specular neutron reflectivity. Using partial isotopic labeling (deuterium for hydrogen) of the alkyl and ethylene oxide chains of each surfactant, the distribution and relative positions of the chains at the interface have been obtained. The packing of the two different alkyl chain lengths results in structural changes compared to the pure surfactant monolayers. This results in changes in the relative positions of the alkyl chains and of the ethylene oxide chains at the interface. The role of the alkyl chain length is contrasted with that of the ethylene oxide chain length, determined from results reported previously on the nonionic surfactant mixture of monododecyl triethylene glycol (C12E3) and monododecyl octaethylene glycol (C12E8).     

Room temperature liquid fullerenes: an uncommon morphology of C60 derivatives

Room temperature liquid C60 derivatives bearing a 2,4,6-trialkyloxyphenyl branch show a dramatic decrease in viscosity with an increase in the length of the alkyl chains. This feature, when combined with electrochemical activities similar to those of pristine C60 and relatively high charge carrier mobility, makes them an extremely attractive novel carbon material for future applications in materials science.     

Structural transitions induced by shear flow and temperature variation in a nonionic surfactant/water system

In this study, we investigate structural transitions of tetraethylene glycol monohexadecyl ether (C(16)E(4)) in D(2)O as a function of shear flow and temperature. Via a combination of rheology, rheo-small-angle neutron scattering and rheo-small-angle light scattering, we probe the structural evolution of the system with respect to shear and temperature. Multi-lamellar vesicles, planar lamellae, and a sponge phase were found to compete as a function of shear rate and temperature, with the sponge phase involving the formation of a new transient lamellar phase with a larger spacing, coexisting with the preceding lamellar phase within a narrow temperature-time range. The shear flow behavior of C(16)E(4) is also found to deviate from other nonionic surfactants with shorter alkyl chains (C(10)E(3) and C(12)E(4)), resembling to the C(16)E(7) case, of longer chain.     

Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic fullerenes and their Langmuir-Blodgett films

We report here the synthesis and characterization of three amphiphilic fullerene derivatives and their Langmuir-Blodgett thin films. Two of the C(60) amphiphiles are mono-derivatives with a long alkyl chain terminated with either -COOH (2) or NH(2) (3) as the hydrophilic headgroup, and the third one (5) is designed to bear the same NH(2) group as 3 but with 10 additional hydrophobic alkyl chains grafted on the C(60) sphere (Scheme 1). These amphiphiles form stable, ordered monolayers at the air-water interface. The molecular packing at the air-water interface and the mean area per molecule are determined by pressure isotherms at room temperature. Hysteresis of pressure isotherms of side chain C(60) (5) shows complete reversibility upon compression and decompression, which suggests that side chains on the C(60) sphere inhibit formation of aggregates at the air-water interface. Comparative studies of all three amphiphiles allow us to better determine the interaction between C(60)'s and their self-assembly kinetics at the air-water interface. Monolayers of monoderivatized amphiphiles (2 and 3) were transferred successfully onto quartz substrates as Z-type multilayered Langmuir-Blodgett films, and monolayers of 5 were transferred as Y-type films. Detailed characterization of the multilayer films (Z-type deposition) prepared from amine-terminated C(60) (3) using X-ray and neutron reflectometry reveals staggering of C(60) spheres and a head-to-head (Y-type) structure presumably due to flipping and reattaching of C(60) amphiphiles to the previous underlying C(60) layer.     

Study on the molecular orientation of an anti-ferroelectric liquid crystal by two-dimensional correlation polarized infrared spectroscopy

Polarization-dependent infrared spectra of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal in the phase were measured at 60°C, for investigation of the relative orientation of the terminal alkyl chain and mesogen. The polarization angle-dependent infrared spectra obtained were analysed by two-dimensional (2D) correlation spectroscopy. The orientation of the mesogen segment and the alkyl chains in the phase is similar to that in the SmC* phase. Four new CH₃ and CH₂ stretching modes were observed from the 2D correlation spectra. From these we can clearly separate the vibrational mode for two hydrocarbon chains and conclude that the orientations of the two chains are different. The C=O group adjacent to the chiral segment is also separated by 2D correlation spectra into two bands, which may arise from either the C=O group hydrogen-bonded with the phenyl ring, or from another rotational conformation of the molecule.     

Ionic Complexes of Polyacids and Cationic Surfactants

Comb-like ionic complexes were prepared from polyuronic acids (pectinic and alginic acids) and alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants bearing linear alkyl chains with 18, 20 and 22 carbon atoms. In the condensed state, these complexes were able to self-assemble in ordered structures which were thermally stable up to ∼200 °C. The complexes were analysed by DSC and WAXS/SAXS and compared to their analogous made from poly(γ-glutamic acid). They all adopt a biphasic layered structure in which the main chain and the alkyl side chain alternate with a nanometric periodicity. Alkyl side chains were partially crystallized in these complexes and they show reversible melting at temperatures within the 60-80 °C range depending on the length of the polymethylene segment.     

Langmuir monolayers of the long-chain alkyl derivatives of a nucleoside analogue and the formation of self-assembled nanoparticles

The long-chain alkyl derivatives of a nucleoside analogue-acyclovir were prepared in the paper. One is stearyl-glycero-succinyl-acyclovir (SGSA) with a single 18-carbon length (C18) alkyl chain. Another is dioctadecyl-aspartate-succinyl-acyclovir (DASA) with double C18 alkyl chains. They were prepared by the esterification of succinyl-acyclovir with the lipids, and sodium salts of them were also prepared. Guanine moieties and alkyl moieties bring the derivatives intermolecular hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction in water separately. The forces are influenced by the number of alkyl chains and the charged state, and determine the solubility and the self-assembly behavior of the derivatives. The double alkyl-chain derivatives (DASA and DASA-Na) formed rigid Langmuir monolayers on air/water surface, while the single alkyl chain derivatives (SGSA and SGSA-Na) did not. However, cholesterol (Chol) could assist SGSA to form rigid monolayers through inserting into the alkyl chains of SGSA to mimic the second alkyl chain. SGSA self-aggregates in water were prepared by the injection method with tetrahydrofuran as solvent. Cuboid-like shape and nanoscale size demonstrated that SGSA self-aggregates were self-assembled nanoparticles. Shape, particle size, zeta potential and phase transition of the nanoparticles were characterized. And they showed an average size of 83.2 nm, a negative surface charge of -31.3-mV zeta potential and a gel-liquid crystalline phase transition of 50.38 degrees C. The formation mechanism of self-assembled nanoparticles was analyzed. Hydrophobic interaction of alkyl chains improves SGSA molecules to form bilayers, and then cuboid-like nanoparticles were obtained by layer-by-layer aggregation based on inter-bilayers hydrogen bonding. However, the charged guanine moieties make SGSA-Na lose the function of hydrogen bonding so that SGSA-Na only forms vesicles in water based on hydrophobic interaction. Strong hydrophobicity and wide-open rigid double alkyl chains of DASA and DASA-Na restrict self-assembly in water media, and no homogeneous suspensions were obtained. Therefore, the molecular self-assembly behavior of the long-chain alkyl derivatives of nucleoside analogues on water surface or in water media is determined by the number of alkyl chains and the charged state.     

Revisiting the crystallization of poly(2‐alkyl‐2‐oxazoline)s

Poly(2‐alkyl‐2‐oxazoline)s (PAOx) exhibit different crystallization behavior depending on the length of the alkyl side chain. PAOx having methyl, ethyl, or propyl side chains do not show any bulk crystallization. Crystallization in the heating cycle, that is, cold crystallization, is observed for PAOx with butyl and pentyl side chains. For PAOx with longer alkyl side chains crystallization occurs in the cooling cycle. The different crystallization behavior is attributed to the different polymer chain mobility in line with the glass transition temperature (T_g) dependency on alkyl side chain length. The decrease in chain mobility with decreasing alkyl side chain length hinders the relaxation of the polymer backbone to the thermodynamic equilibrium crystalline structure. Double melting behavior is observed for PButOx and PiPropOx which is explained by the melt‐recrystallization mechanism. Isothermal crystallization experiments of PButOx between 60 and 90 °C and PiPropOx between 90 and 150 °C show that PAOx can crystallize in bulk when enough time is given. The decrease of T_g and the corresponding increase in chain mobility at T > T_g with increasing alkyl side chain length can be attributed to an increasing distance between the polymer backbones and thus decreasing average strength of amide dipole interactions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 721–729     

Effects of tethering alkyl chains for amphiphilic ruthenium complex dyes on their adsorption to titanium oxide and photovoltaic properties

Ruthenium (II) complex dye, Ru(4,4'-dicarboxyl-2,2'-bipyridine)(4-nonyl-2,2'-bipyridine) (NCS)(2), (denoted as RuC9) tethering single alkyl chain was synthesized and well characterized. Its adsorption behavior onto the mesoporous TiO(2) and photovoltaic properties were compared with Z907 which has similar chemical structure but tethers two alkyl chains. RuC9 dyes tend to aggregate into vesicles in the acetonitrile/t-butanol co-solvent as a result of the amphiphilic structure, whereas Z907 dyes aggregate into lamellae. The dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with RuC9 dye showed higher short-circuit photocurrent than that with Z907, attributing to its higher molar optical extinction coefficient and more adsorption amount onto the mesoporous TiO(2). However, the DSSC with Z907 dye has higher open-circuit photovoltage and power conversion efficiency, presumably due to the fact that Z907 with more alkyl chains formed a molecular layer with higher hydrophobicity. It reduced the charge recombination in the interface between the dye-sensitized mesoporous TiO(2) and electrolyte as verified by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and intensity modulated photocurrent and photovoltage spectroscopies.     

A highly regioselective approach to multiple adducts of C60 governed by strain minimization of macrocyclic malonate addends

New macrocyclic malonates 2-5 have been prepared by reaction of malonyl dichloride with alkanediols. Reactions of these cyclo-[n]-alkylmalonates with C60 are highly regioselective. The macrocycles containing identical alkyl spacers selectively form bis- and trisadducts of C60 with rotational symmetry. The addition pattern of the regioselectively formed oligoadducts is determined by the size of the alkyl spacer within the macrocyclic malonate. A variety of bis-, tris-, tetra-, and hexaadducts have been synthesized to show the scope of this approach. "Exotic" addition patterns such as trans-4,trans-4,trans-4, which has been synthesized and completely characterized for the first time, are also accessible by this method. The regioselectivity is ruled by the even distribution of the strain within the macrocyclic malonates containing spacer alkane chains of identical lengths: addition patterns with rotational symmetry provide exactly identical distances of the malonate oxygen atoms and are thus exclusively formed by this method. In contrast, when macrocycles with two different alkyl spacer lengths are used, such as 9 and 10, the reaction exclusively yields C(s)-symmetric bisadducts.     

梳状高分子烷基侧链构象和堆积结构的红外光谱研究

以正十九烷和两种接枝烷基链的梳状高分子N-十八烷基聚乙烯亚胺(PEI18C)、N-十八烷基聚对苯甲酰胺(PBA18C)为研究对象,利用红外光谱对处于受限和自由状态的烷基链的构象和堆积结构随温度的变化进行了对比研究.结果表明,处于受限和自由状态的烷基链的构象排列和堆积结构及其转变行为不同,且受限于柔性PEI主链和刚性PBA主链的烷基链也不相同.从主链刚性的角度,探讨了影响烷基侧链构象和堆积结构的原因.     

Influence of synthetic routes on the conformational order and mobility of C18 and C30 stationary phases

Silica gels modified with n-alkyl chains (n = 18, 30) are prepared by two different synthetic routes and are examined by variable temperature FTIR and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. HPLC measurements of SRM 869, cis/trans ss-carotene isomers and xanthophylls isomers confirm the dependence of the separation mechanism on the alkyl chain length and the synthetic routes. The determination of the silane functionality and degree of cross-linking of silane ligands on the silica surface is achieved by 29Si CP/MAS NMR measurements. The structural order and mobility of the alkyl chains are investigated by means of variable temperature 13C CP/MAS NMR measurements. Variable temperature FTIR studies are performed where conformational order and flexibility of the alkyl chains in C18 and C30 phases are monitored through conformational sensitive CH2 symmetric, anti-symmetric stretching and wagging modes. In addition, the chromatographic properties of the C18 and C30 phases are determined. The results derived from the FTIR, NMR and HPLC measurements are discussed in the context of the applied synthetic routes and alkyl chain lengths.