Coating single-walled carbon nanotubes with phospholipids

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), being hydrophobic by nature, aggregate in water to form large bundles. However, isolated SWNTs possess unique physical and chemical properties that are desirable for sensing and biological applications. Conventionally isolated SWNTs can be obtained by wrapping the tubes with biopolymers or surfactants. The binding modes proposed for these solubilization schemes, however, are less than comprehensive. Here we characterize the efficacies of solubilizing SWNTs through various types of phospholipids and other amphiphilic surfactants. Specifically, we demonstrate that lysophospholipids, or single-chained phospholipids offer unprecedented solubility for SWNTs, while double-chained phospholipids are ineffective in rendering SWNTs soluble. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) we show that lysophospholipids wrap SWNTs as striations whose size and regularity are affected by the polarity of the lysophospholipids. We further show that wrapping is only observed when SWNTs are in the lipid phase and not the vacuum phase, suggesting that the environment has a pertinent role in the binding process. Our findings shed light on the debate over the binding mechanism of amphiphilic polymers and cylindrical nanostructures and have implications on the design of novel supramolecular complexes and nanodevices.     

Assignment of the Absolute-Handedness Chirality of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Using Organic Molecule Supramolecular Structures

Supramolecular structures of organic molecules on planar nanocarbon surfaces, such as highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), have been extensively studied and the factors that control them are generally well-established. In contrast, the properties of supramolecular structures on curved nanocarbon surfaces like carbon nanotubes remain challenging to predict and/or to understand. This paper reports an investigation into the first study of the supramolecular structures of 5,15-bisdodecylporphyrin (C12P) on chiral, concentrated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs; with right-handed helix P- and left-handed helix M-) surfaces using STM. Furthermore, the study is the first of its kind to experimentally assign the absolute-handedness chirality of SWNTs, as well as to understand their effect on the supramolecular structures of organic molecules on their surfaces. Interestingly, these SWNT enantiomers resulted in supramolecular structures of opposite chirality based on the handedness chirality. With molecular modelling, we predicted the absolute-handedness chirality of SWNTs, before demonstrating this experimentally.     

Hierarchical polymer assemblies constructed by the mutual template effect of cationic polymer complex and anionic supramolecular nanofiber

Creation of higher-ordered polymeric architectures composed of alternative assemblies of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and fibrous porphyrin J-aggregates can be easily achieved utilizing the cationic semi-artificial polysaccharide which can act not only as a tubular host for SWNTs but also as a one-dimensional template for porphyrin molecules. This new class of hierarchical polymer assembly is formed, for the first time, by the mutual template effect of two components, i.e., the cationic SWNT complexes and the anionic porphyrin supramolecular nanofibers. In the present system, the self-assembling behaviors of the SWNT complexes as well as the final properties of the SWNT nanoarchitectures are strongly affected by the packing mode of porphyrin molecules on the cationic semi-artificial polysaccharide. Furthermore, we have confirmed that the light energy captured by the porphyrin J-aggregates is effectively transferred to SWNTs.     

Dissociation of electrolytes in a nano-aqueous system within single-wall carbon nanotubes

Research on material incorporation within single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) through aqueous solutions of various electrolytes is performed for the purpose of providing a foundation for future application of SWNTs to, for example, drug delivery systems. We have determined that the optical spectra of SWNTs were significantly affected when SWNTs that had opened holes or removed caps were treated through immersion in an aqueous solution of electrolytes, followed by drying at room temperature; however, the spectra of SWNTs without opened holes or removed caps were not subjected to such treatment. We infer that when the sucked solutions remained inside the tubes, even after drying (the nano-aqueous system), the electrolyte was dissociated into ions, which was likely to change the electronic states of SWNTs. On the other hand, when the SWNTs were well-dried under vacuum, no remarkable changes in their optical spectra were observed.     

On the characterization of dynamic supramolecular systems: a general mathematical association model for linear supramolecular copolymers and application on a complex two-component hydrogen-bonding system

A general mathematical model for the characterization of the dynamic (kinetically labile) association of supramolecular assemblies in solution is presented. It is an extension of the equal K (EK) model by the stringent use of linear algebra to allow for the simultaneous presence of an unlimited number of different units in the resulting assemblies. It allows for the analysis of highly complex dynamic equilibrium systems in solution, including both supramolecular homo- and copolymers without the recourse to extensive approximations, in a field in which other analytical methods are difficult. The derived mathematical methodology makes it possible to analyze dynamic systems such as supramolecular copolymers regarding for instance the degree of polymerization, the distribution of a given monomer in different copolymers as well as its position in an aggregate. It is to date the only general means to characterize weak supramolecular systems. The model was fitted to NMR dilution titration data by using the program Matlab, and a detailed algorithm for the optimization of the different parameters has been developed. The methodology is applied to a case study, a hydrogen-bonded supramolecular system, salen 4+porphyrin 5. The system is formally a two-component system but in reality a three-component system. This results in a complex dynamic system in which all monomers are associated to each other by hydrogen bonding with different association constants, resulting in homo- and copolymers 4n5m as well as cyclic structures 6 and 7, in addition to free 4 and 5. The system was analyzed by extensive NMR dilution titrations at variable temperatures. All chemical shifts observed at different temperatures were used in the fitting to obtain the DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees values producing the best global fit. From the derived general mathematical expressions, system 4+5 could be characterized with respect to above-mentioned parameters.     

A Triptycene‐Based Approach to Solubilising Carbon Nanotubes and C60

We describe herein the synthesis of a triptycene‐based surfactant designed with the ability to solubilise single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and C₆₀ in water through non‐covalent interactions. Furthermore, an amphiphilic naphthalene‐based surfactant with the same ability to solubilise SWNTs and C₆₀ has also been prepared. The compounds synthesised were designed with either two ionic or non‐ionic tails to ensure a large number of supramolecular interactions with the solvent, thereby promoting strong solubilisation. The surfactants produced stable suspensions in which the SWNTs are dispersed and the surfactant/SWNT complexes formed are stable for more than one year. UV/Vis/NIR absorption spectroscopy, TEM and AFM were employed to probe the solubilisation properties of the dispersion of surfactants and SWNTs in water.     

Lipid-carbon nanotube self-assembly in aqueous solution

One major drawback associated with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in the liquid phase is their hydrophobicity-induced aggregation, which prevents utilization of the unique physical and chemical properties of single SWNTs. Recently it has been found that lysophospholipids, or single-tailed phospholipids, can readily form supramolecular complexes with SWNTs and the resultant SWNT solubility is superior to that provided by nucleic acids, proteins, and surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate. Using transmission electron microscopy, lysophospholipids were observed forming striations on SWNTs in a vacuum. Although the morphology of the striations seemingly favors the hemimicellular model, serious doubts remain about the arrangement of individual lipids within the striations. Here we present an in silico study of the binding of zwitterionic lysophosphatidylcholine to an SWNT. We present compelling evidence that the binding of lipid surfactants to cylindrical nanostructures in the liquid phase does not obey any of the three popular models in the literature. Understanding the binding of lipid amphiphiles to SWNTs facilitates the bottom-up design of novel nanostructures for supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology and fuels new field studies of nanotoxicity and nanomedicine.     

Single-walled carbon nanotubes template the one-dimensional ordering of a polythiophene derivative

We have used a mechanochemical high-speed vibration milling (HSVM) technique to solubilize single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in organic solvents through the formation of complexes between the SWNTs and a polythiophene (PT) derivative. This HSVM approach is superior to the conventional sonication method used to solubilize SWNTs in organic solvents. Moreover, we found that in these supramolecular complexes the PT chains were ordered one-dimensionally on the SWNT surfaces in organic solvents. [structure: see text].     

Triply fused Zn(II)-porphyrin oligomers: synthesis, properties, and supramolecular interactions with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs)

The photophysical, electrochemical, and self-assembly properties of a novel triply fused Zn(II)-porphyrin trimer were investigated and compared to the properties of a triply fused porphyrin dimer and the analogous monomer. The trimer exhibited significantly red-shifted absorption bands relative to the corresponding monomer and dimer. Electrochemical investigations indicated a clear trend in redox properties amongst the three porphyrin structures, with the lowest oxidation potential and the lowest HOMO-LUMO gap exhibited by the triply fused trimer. This electrochemical behavior is attributed to the extensive pi-electron delocalization in the trimeric structure relative to the monomer and dimer. Additionally, it was found that the trimer forms extremely strong and nearly irreversible supramolecular interactions with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), resulting in stable solutions of porphyrin-nanotube complexes in THF. Formation of these complexes required the addition of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to the solvent. This allowed the oligomers to make close contact with the nanotubes, enabling the formation of stable supramolecular assemblies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to observe the supramolecular porphyrin-nanotube complexes and revealed that the porphyrin trimer formed a uniform coating on the SWNTs. Height profiles indicated that nanotube bundles could be exfoliated into either individual tubes or very small bundles by exposure to the porphyrin trimer during sonication.     

Dielectrophoresis field flow fractionation of single-walled carbon nanotubes

We report a study on Dielectrophoresis Field Flow Fractionation of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs). SWNTs, individually suspended in 1% SDBS solution, were separated by type when they passed a dielectrophoresis field flow fractionation device where 1 MHz AC voltage was supplied and the field strength was well below 1 V per mum. Furthermore, we uniquely observed enrichment of semiconductive SWNTs based on their band gap. In addition to Raman spectrum, UV-vis absorption and NIR fluorescence spectra were used for solution samples for characterization.     

Tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of self‐sorted pseudorotaxanes: the effects of Coulomb interactions

The increasing complexity of self‐assembled supramolecules generates the need for analytical techniques that can accurately elucidate their structures. Here, we explore the ability of tandem mass spectrometry to deliver structural information on a series of self‐sorted crown ether/ammonium pseudorotaxanes. Of these intertwined molecules, different charge states are accessible and the effects of Coulomb interactions on the fragmentation pattern can be examined. Three different cases can be distinguished: (1) one or more counterions are present in the complex and compete with the crown for binding to the ammonium ion. This destabilizes the supramolecular bond. (2) In multiply charged complexes, charge repulsion significantly alters the fragmentation behavior as compared with singly charged ions. (3) If guest and host are both charged, the supramolecular bond becomes very weak. The different charge states provide different pieces of information about the supramolecules under study. Although singly charged complexes provide data on the building block connectivity, the doubly charged analogs are more reliable with respect to complex stoichiometry. As there are several factors which may cause differences in the gas phase and solution behavior of supramolecules (the presence and absence of solvation, changes in the strength of non‐covalent interactions upon ionization), it is important to establish well understood correlations between the complexes' gas‐phase behavior and their solution structures. A more detailed understanding will help to characterize the structures of even more complex supramolecular architectures by mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemistry at chemically assembled single-wall carbon nanotube arrays

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) chemically assembled on gold substrates were employed as electrodes to investigate the charge transfer process between SWNTs and the underlying substrates. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) indicates that the assembled SWNTs allow electron communication between a gold electrode and the redox couple in solution, though the SWNTs are linked directly onto the insulating monolayer of 11-amino-n-undecanethiol (AUT) on the Au substrate. An electron transfer (ET) mechanism, which contains an electron tunneling process across the AUT monolayer, is proposed to explain the CV behavior of Au/AUT/SWNT electrodes. Electrochemical measurements show that the apparent electron tunneling resistance, which depends on the surface density of assembled SWNTs, has apparent effects similar to those of solution resistance on CV behavior . The theory of solution resistance is used to describe the apparent tunneling resistance. The experimental results of the dependence of ET parameter psi on the potential scan rate upsilon are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. Kinetic studies of the chemical assembly of SWNTs by atomic force microscopic (AFM), electrochemical, and Raman spectroscopic methods reveal that two distinct assembly kinetics exist: a relatively fast step that is dominated by the surface reaction, and a successive slow step that is governed by bundle formation.     

On the estimation of the strength of supramolecular complexes of fullerenes

The accurate estimation of the free energy changes in solution for supramolecular complexes is one of the most important challenges for quantum chemistry in this century. In general, there is a good correlation between the association constants determined experimentally and the gas phase binding energies calculated using the most popular density functional methods. However, when the receptors adopt very different structures in the gas and condensed phase, this approach does not work, leading to unreliable predictions. We discuss this problem in detail using three popular fullerene receptors: Aida's dimeric porphyrins, buckycatchers I, and II. We found that it is possible to obtain a reliable order of affinities using gas phase binding energies when a special attention is put on analyzing the structure adopted by the receptor in the gas and condensed phases.     

Helicity Control in the Aggregation of Achiral Squaraine Dyes in Solution and Thin Films

Squaraine dyes are well known for their strong absorption in the visible regime. Reports on chiral squaraine dyes are, however, scarce. To address this gap, we here report two novel chiral squaraine dyes and their achiral counterparts. The presented dyes are aggregated in solution and in thin films. A detailed chiroptical study shows that thin films formed by co-assembling the chiral dye with its achiral counterpart exhibit exceptional photophysical properties. The circular dichroism (CD) of the co-assembled structures reaches a maximum when just 25 % of the chiral dye are present in the mixture. The solid structures with the highest relative CD effect are achieved when the chiral dye is used solely as a director, rather than the structural component. The chiroptical data are further supported by selected spin-filtering measurements using mc-AFM. These findings provide a promising platform for investigating the relationship between the dissymmetry of a supramolecular structure and emerging material properties rather than a comparison between a chiral molecular structure and an achiral counterpart.     

界面超分子聚合

超分子聚合物诞生于高分子化学与超分子化学的交叉融合,一般是指单体间通过非共价键作用连接形成的聚合物,并在溶液或体相中表现出类似聚合物的性质。目前超分子聚合物一般通过均相溶液聚合制备得到,但溶液中的超分子聚合是一个自发的组装过程,具有浓度依赖性,组装过程不易可控。为解决此问题,研究人员可以将超分子聚合从均相溶液转移到界面,在界面上可控地制备超分子聚合物。通过界面聚合制备超分子聚合物具有一些独特的优势,如可以制备得到分子量更高的超分子聚合物,易于制备一些缺陷少、面积大、有序的二维超分子聚合物等。本文基于在液-液、气-液和固-液三种界面上制备超分子聚合物的一些代表性工作,介绍了界面超分子聚合方法和应用,并展望其未来发展。     

Self-Assembly of Bowl-Shaped Naphthalimide-Annulated Corannulene

The self-assembly of a bowl-shaped naphthalimide-annulated corannulene of high solubility has been studied in a variety of solvents by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Evaluation by the anti-cooperative K₂-K model revealed the formation of supramolecular dimers of outstanding thermodynamic stability. Further structural proof for the almost exclusive formation of dimers over extended aggregates is demonstrated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) measurements as well as by theoretical calculations. Thus, herein we present the first report of a supramolecular dimer of an annulated corannulene derivative in solution and discuss its extraordinarily high thermodynamic stability with association constants up to >10⁶ M⁻¹ in methylcyclohexane, which is comparable to the association constants given for planar phthalocyanine and perylene bisimide dyes.     

NMR spectroscopy in coordination supramolecular chemistry: A unique and powerful methodology

Metal-mediated self-assembly is emerging as a very important strategy for the synthesis of supramolecular species. Still, a major challenge in coordination supramolecular chemistry continues to be the characterization of the self-assembled complexes and the investigation of their dynamic behaviour in solution. In this context, NMR spectroscopy appears as a unique and powerful methodology. This practical-oriented review describes the rich variety of NMR techniques which are applied to the investigation of different aspects of the structure and behaviour of supramolecular complexes. “Classic” 1D NMR spectra reflect characteristic chemical shifts due to metal–ligand interactions or encapsulation phenomena, as well as symmetry and chiral properties of host–guest assemblies. Mainstream ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F and ³¹P spectra are eventually complemented by the use of NMR-active metal nuclides. Homo- and heteronuclear 2D correlation experiments are ubiquitous in the literature, providing through-bond and through-space connectivities. Increasingly, diffusion measurements are also gaining popularity in this field, being used to gain information about molecular size, intermolecular interactions and even association constants of supramolecular complexes. Knowledge about the thermodynamic properties and the dynamic behaviour of coordination supramolecular assemblies is essential for the development of their practical applications. The most frequently used NMR methodologies for the calculation of association constants (simple signal integration, NMR titration and diffusion measurements) and for the investigation of dynamic supramolecular equilibria (lineshape analysis, selective inversion recovery experiments and 2D EXSY spectra) are described, together with the use of variable-temperature investigations for the determination of the thermodynamic and activation parameters of self-assembly and encapsulation processes.     

Supramolecular Fullerene Polymers and Networks Directed by Molecular Recognition between Calix[5]arene and C60

A biscalix[5]arene–C₆₀ supramolecular structure was utilized for the development of supramolecular fullerene polymers. Di‐ and tritopic hosts were developed to generate the linear and network supramolecular polymers through the complexation of a dumbbell‐shaped fullerene. The molecular association between the hosts and the fullerene were carefully studied by using ¹H NMR, UV/Vis absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The formation of the supramolecular fullerene polymers and networks was confirmed by diffusion‐ordered ¹H NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) and solution viscometry. Upon concentrating the mixtures of di‐ or tritopic hosts and dumbbell‐shaped fullerene in the range of 1.0–10 mmol L^?1, the diffusion coefficients of the complexes decreased, and the solution viscosities increased, suggesting that large polymeric assemblies were formed in solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to image the supramolecular fullerene polymers and networks. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provided insight into the morphology of the supramolecular polymers. A mixture of the homoditopic host and the fullerene resulted in fibers with a height of (1.4±0.1) nm and a width of (5.0±0.8) nm. Interdigitation of the alkyl side chains provided secondary interchain interactions that facilitated supramolecular organization. The homotritopic host generated the supramolecular networks with the dumbbell‐shaped fullerene. Honeycomb sheet‐like structures with many voids were found. The growth of the supramolecular polymers is evidently governed by the shape, dimension, and directionality of the monomers.     

Dynamics of Supramolecular Association Monitored by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

Supramolecular binding is a key process in many biological systems and in newly developed supramolecular assemblies. Most of the scientific work on these systems is focused on their structural properties and on the thermodynamics of the association process. However, the underlying dynamics are usually much less known, in spite of the great importance they have during the binding process in these highly dynamic systems. Understanding supramolecular binding in biological systems and controlling the functionality of new synthetic supramolecular systems can only be achieved through knowledge of the structure–dynamics relationship. There is a strong need for suitable techniques which cover the typically wide time interval of the association dynamics and which do not need a perturbation of the system. We briefly review high‐resolution fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) as a technique to monitor supramolecular dynamics and to give information on how structure determines the dynamics of host–guest association. The comparison of hosts and guests with different structures shows that geometrical and orientational requirements determine the association rate constant, whereas the dissociation is defined by the strength of specific interactions. As model hosts cyclodextrins and micelles are studied.     

Elucidating dynamic behavior of synthetic supramolecular polymers in water by hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry

A comprehensive understanding of the structure, self-assembly mechanism, and dynamics of one-dimensional supramolecular polymers in water is essential for their application as biomaterials. Although a plethora of techniques are available to study the first two properties, there is a paucity in possibilities to study dynamic exchange of monomers between supramolecular polymers in solution. We recently introduced hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to characterize the dynamic nature of synthetic supramolecular polymers with only a minimal perturbation of the chemical structure. To further expand the application of this powerful technique some essential experimental aspects have been reaffirmed and the technique has been applied to a diverse library of assemblies. HDX-MS is widely applicable if there are exchangeable hydrogen atoms protected from direct contact with the solvent and if the monomer concentration is sufficiently high to ensure the presence of supramolecular polymers during dilution. In addition, we demonstrate that the kinetic behavior as probed by HDX-MS is influenced by the internal order within the supramolecular polymers and by the self-assembly mechanism.