Fabrication of functional nano-objects via self-assembly of nanostructured hybrid materials

A simple route to fabricate functional nano-objects via self-assembly of block copolymer-based hybrid materials is described. In water–toluene mixtures, spheres, rod-like morphologies, and ring-like morphologies as well as vesicles of metal loaded block copolymers micelles are fabricated. The concept is generic to realize different functionalities by incorporating various inorganic components (Au, Ag, Pt, Co…) into the block copolymer matrix. A mechanism describing the formation of micellar aggregates with different morphologies is presented based on a simple force balance approach. Moreover, the composition of the solvent mixture is modified to gain control over the morphology of micellar aggregates. It was found that swelling of the micelle core with a selective cosolvent is the driving force to induce morphology transitions from spherical to rod- and ring-like structures as well as vesicles. These nano-objects can be further used as building blocks to construct well-defined structures via self-assembly in spin coated thin films. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1642–1650, 2010     

聚合物纳米杂化材料的控制合成、自组装及功能化

聚合物纳米杂化材料的制备及功能化是当前国际前沿研究课题之一.特殊结构的聚合物可以通过分子间特殊相互作用,在纳米尺度上自发地组装成具有特殊结构和形态的集合体,这类材料在新材料、电子以及生物医学等领域具有广泛的应用前景.本文介绍国内外,特别是厦门大学在双亲性分子及嵌段共聚物的模板自组装、基于POSS单体纳米构筑单元以及POSS嵌段聚合物自组装的有机/无机纳米杂化材料、模板控制导电高分子材料纳米形态构筑等领域材料的可控合成和组装,与此同时对相关材料的性能及功能化应用进行了简要的讨论.     

Hierarchical self-assembly in polymeric complexes: towards functional materials

Combination of self-assembly at different length scales leads to structural hierarchies. It offers rich possibilities to construct nanostructured matter, nanoscale parts, and switching (responsive) properties based on the phase transitions of the self-assembled structures. Complexation of oligomeric amphiphiles to polymers using ionic interactions, coordination, or hydrogen bonding leads to polymeric comb-shaped supramolecules (complexes), which self-assemble at a length scale of a few nm. Self-assembly at an order of magnitude larger length scale is provided by block copolymers, and combination of the latter two concepts leads to structural hierarchies. They provide e.g. templates for mesoporous materials and nano-objects, and allow switching conductivity and switching optical properties. Structural hierarchies are also observed by complexing moderately monodisperse polymeric rods with amphiphiles. Finally, self-assembly at even a larger length scale upon using colloidal particles may be combined to the above structures, as encouraged by recent observations.     

非共价键自组装有机功能材料

分子自组装对于某些化学反应过程、生物化学过程及生命活动的模拟等方面具有重要的意义。本文对非共价键组装方式自组装的有机功能材料的分类，结构、性质、自组装机理以及研究进展进行了综述。     

Nanocrystal-micelle: synthesis, self-assembly and application

Nanocrystals (NCs) are one of the important building blocks for fabrication of nanostructured arrays for wide range of optical, electronic, magnetic, catalytic and biosensing applications. Here, our recent advances in the synthesis, self-assembly and application of NC-micelles are highlighted. The NCs are encapsulated inside the core of surfactant micelles in a rapid, interfacially driven micro-emulsion process. The flexible surface chemistry of the NC-micelles causes them to be water-soluble and allows further self-assembly into two- and three-dimensional ordered arrays. The NC-micelles are biocompatible, of interest for bio-labeling. Finally, integration of the ordered arrays and charge transport property are discussed.     

Functional-template directed self-assembly (FTDSA) of mesostructured organic-inorganic hybrid materials

Since the discovery of a surfactant directed self-assembly approach for the fabrication of mesoporous silica in 1992, increasing attention has been focused on the design and synthesis of mesostructured functional materials. Organic functionalization is becoming a major topic in this research field, since highly ordered mesostructured organic-inorganic hybrids offer novel functionalities and enhanced performance over their individual components. We begin with a brief overview of the three fundamental methods (post-synthetic grafting technique, co-condensation method, and preparation of periodic mesoporous organosilicas) for the preparation of organically functionalized mesostructured silica, and focus on one of the most promising approaches, which herein was named as functional-template directed self-assembly (FTDSA) approach, and in the eyes of the authors it has a special position in the preparation of this class of hybrid materials. A comprehensive overview of the state of research in the area of FTDSA and its potential applications will be given.     

Oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)-peptide conjugates: synthesis and self-assembly in solution and at the solid-liquid interface

Two oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)-peptide hybrid amphiphiles have been synthesized using solid- and liquid-phase strategies. The amphiliphiles are composed of a pi-conjugated oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) trimer (OPV) which is coupled at either a glycinyl-alanyl-glycinyl-alanyl-glycine (GAGAG) silk-inspired beta-sheet or a glycinyl-alanyl-asparagyl-prolyl-asparagy-alanyl-alanyl-glycine (GANPNAAG) beta-turn forming oligopeptide sequence. The solid-phase strategy enables one to use longer peptides if strong acidic conditions are avoided, whereas the solution-phase coupling gives better yields. The study of the two-dimensional (2D) self-assembly of OPV-GAGAG by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at the submolecular level demonstrated the formation of bilayers in which the molecules are lying antiparallel in a beta-sheet conformation. In the case of OPV-GANPNAAG self-assembled monolayers could not be observed. Absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism studies showed that OPV-GAGAG and OPV-GANPNAAG are aggregated in a variety of organic solvents. In water cryogenic temperature transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), light scattering, and optical studies reveal that self-assembled nanofibers are formed in which the helical organization of the OPV segments is dictated by the peptide sequence.     

Giant molecular shape amphiphiles based on polystyrene-hydrophilic [60]fullerene conjugates: click synthesis, solution self-assembly, and phase behavior

This paper reports a comprehensive study on the synthesis and self-assembly of two model series of molecular shape amphiphiles, namely, hydrophilic [60]fullerene (AC(60)) tethered with one or two polystyrene (PS) chain(s) at one junction point (PS(n)-AC(60) and 2PS(n)-AC(60)). The synthesis highlighted the regiospecific multiaddition reaction for C(60) surface functionalization and the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between alkyne functionalized C(60) and azide functionalized polymer to give rise to shape amphiphiles with precisely defined surface chemistry and molecular topology. When 1,4-dioxane/DMF mixture was used as the common solvent and water as the selective solvent, these shape amphiphiles exhibited versatile self-assembled micellar morphologies which can be tuned by changing various parameters, such as molecular topology, polymer tail length, and initial molecular concentration, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy and light scattering experiments. In the low molecular concentration range of equal or less than 0.25 (wt) %, micellar morphology of the series of PS(n)-AC(60) studied was always spheres, while the series of 2PS(n)-AC(60) formed vesicles. Particularly, PS(44)-AC(60) and 2PS(23)-AC(60) are synthesized as a topological isomer pair of these shape amphiphiles. PS(44)-AC(60) formed spherical micelles while 2PS(23)-AC(60) generated bilayer vesicles under identical conditions. The difference in the self-assembly of PS(n)-AC(60) and 2PS(n)-AC(60) was understood by the molecular shape aspect ratio. The stretching ratio of PS tails decreased with increasing PS tail length in the spherical micelles of PS(n)-AC(60), indicating a micellar behavior that changes from small molecular surfactant-like to amphiphilic block copolymer-like. For the series of PS(n)-AC(60) in the high molecular concentration range [>0.25 (wt) %], their micellar morphological formation of spheres, cylinders, and vesicles was critically dependent upon both the initial molecular concentration and the PS tail length. On the other hand, the series of 2PS(n)-AC(60) remained in the state of bilayer vesicles in the same concentration range. Combining both of the experimental results obtained in the low and high molecular concentrations, a systematic morphological phase diagram was constructed for the series of PS(n)-AC(60) with different PS tail lengths. The versatile and concentration-sensitive phase behaviors of these molecular shape amphiphiles are unique and have not been systematically explored in the traditional surfactants and block copolymers systems.     

New lead inorganic-organic hybrid microporous and layered materials: synthesis,properties, and crystal structures

Two new lead(II) phosphonates, namely, Pb2[PMIDA]*1.5H2O (1) (H4PMIDA = H2O3PCH2N(CH2CO2H)2) and Pb(H2L) (2) (H4L = CH3N(CH2PO3H2)2), have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions at 150 degrees C. Complex 1 crystallized in tetragonal P42/n with cell dimensions of a = 17.317(7) and c = 7.507(5) A and Z = 8. In complex 1, Pb(1) is 6-coordinated by chelation in a tetradentate fashion by a PMIDA ligand (3 O, 1 N) and two phosphonate oxygen atoms from neighboring Pb(PMIDA) units in a severely distorted octahedral geometry, whereas Pb(2) is 6-coordinated by 4 carboxylate and 2 phosphonate oxygen atoms also with a severely distorted octahedral environment. These two different types of Pb(II) ions are interconnected through bridging carboxylate and phosphonate groups, resulting in a 3D network with micropores, whose cavity is filled by lattice water molecules interlinked via hydrogen bonds. Each PMIDA ligand bridges with 8 Pb(II) ions (3 Pb(1) and 5 Pb(2)). Complex 2 is orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), with a = 7.382(5), b = 7.440(6), and c = 30.75(2) A and Z = 8. The structure of 2 features a 2D double lead(II) phosphonate layer along the ab plane. Each lead(II) ion is 5-coordinated by five phosphonate oxygen atoms from four ligands in a distorted trigonal bipyramid geometry. These double layers are further interconnected via hydrogen bonds between the protonated and uncoordinated phosphonate oxygens along the c-axis.     

Fluorenyl hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene-dendritic oligothiophene hybrid materials: synthesis, photophysical properties, self-association behaviour and device performance

Apart from molecular properties, intermolecular forces play a vital role in defining the performance of organic electronic devices. This is particularly relevant in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells in which the arrangement of electron-donor and -acceptor materials into distinct crystalline phases of ideal size and distribution can lead to better power conversion efficiencies. In this study, a series of fluorenyl hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronenes (FHBC) decorated with thiophene dendrons (DOT) of variable size was obtained by using a convergent synthetic approach. With such variety of molecular sizes and shapes in hand, the objective of this study is to highlight the relationships between molecular properties, bulk properties and device performance. Correlations between π-π stacking ability and dendrimer generation were established from self-organisation studies in solution and solid state. The synergistic combination of molecular organisation at the nanoscale and photophysical characteristics derived from the FHBC and DOT moieties leads to a notable improvement of the photovoltaic performance.     

Microwave synthesis of hybrid inorganic-organic porous materials: phase-selective and rapid crystallization

Microwave synthesis of two porous nickel glutarates was compared with conventional hydrothermal synthesis. The cubic nickel glutarate, [Ni20(C5H6O4)20(H2O)8] x 40 H2O (1), was synthesized by conventional electrical heating in several hours or days, depending on synthesis temperature. Crystallization was greatly accelerated by microwave irradiation, in which more stable, tetragonal nickel glutarate, [Ni22(C5H6O4)20(OH)4(H2O)10] x 38 H2O (2), was formed within a few minutes, suggesting the efficiency of the microwave technique in the synthesis of porous hybrid materials. The cubic phase 1 is formed preferentially at low pH, low temperature, and especially under conventional electrical heating. In contrast, the tetragonal phase 2 is obtained favorably at high pH, high temperature, and especially with microwave irradiation. This work demonstrates that the microwave method provides not only the very fast synthesis of a hybrid material, but also the possibility to discover a new porous hybrid material not yet identified by conventional hydrothermal synthesis. The hydrothermal formation of metal-organic hybrid materials in a matter of minutes is an important step towards developing commercially viable routes for producing this valuable class of materials.     

Janus-AT bases: synthesis, self-assembly, and solid state structures

The high yielding synthesis of heterocycles with defined H-bond accepting and donating capabilities provides for the design of self-assembling structures and specific recognition of biological targets. Herein we report the syntheses and solid-state structures of three self-complementary uracil/thymine derivatives where each presents the standard ADA face inherently complementary to adenine and a synthetically appended DAD face complementary to uracil/thymine. These heterocycles, which have never before been reported or characterized, represent diaminopurine-uracil/thymine hybrids that, in two of the three cases, relate to previously reported heterocyclic hybrids of G and C. All three heterocycles crystallized to afford the first X-ray crystal structures of self-complementary heterocycles capable of ADA-DAD pairing. The potential use in DNA and RNA recognition are briefly discussed.     

Silica-titania sol-gel hybrid materials: synthesis, characterization and potential application in solid phase extraction

The biphenilaminepropylsilica and biphenilaminepropylsilicatitania were synthesized by sol-gel method, in two steps: (a) biphenylamine reacts with chloropropyltrimethoxysilane and (b) the product of reaction was polycondensed with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) or TEOS and titanium isopropoxide. The sol-gel materials were characterized using infrared spectroscopy and N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms and they were employed as sorbents for carcinogenic N-containing compound retention, in aqueous solution, using the SPE technique. The N-containing compounds adsorption was influenced by the titania presence and the sorption process seems to happen in the pores with higher organic density.     

Janus and ternary particles generated by microfluidic synthesis: design, synthesis, and self-assembly

This paper reports a microfluidic method for fast continuous synthesis of Janus particles and three-phase particles with narrow size distribution. Synthesis of particles included emulsification of monomer liquids and in-situ photoinitiated polymerization of multiphase droplets. We show the strategy for precise control over the structure of Janus particles and their structure-dependent assembly in clusters. We demonstrate an asymmetric chemical modification of the surface of JPs by conjugating them with protein molecules. The Janus and ternary particles were synthesized from largely immiscible liquids and had a sharp interface between the constituent phases.     

One-pot, single-component synthesis of functional emulsion-templated hybrid inorganic-organic polymer capsules

Multi-purpose amphiphilic branched copolymer surfactants can be used to simultaneously stabilise and cross-link emulsion droplets to produce encapsulated spheres and hollow capsules.     

Synthesis by MW-assisted direct arylation,side-arms driven self-assembly and functional properties of 9,10-dithienylanthracene orthogonal materials

We report a new class of multifunctional 9,10-dithienylanthracene-based materials having an anthracene π-core functionalized at the 9,10 positions with thienyl side-arms of different size and type of substitution. MW-assisted double direct arylation reaction is employed for the first time to synthesize the target molecules in one-step, organometallic free conditions, in only 5 min and yields up to 80% rather than by a multi-step Stille coupling taken as conventional reference approach. DFT calculations reveal a molecular conformation characterized by the thienyl rings orthogonal to the anthracene core. Nevertheless, despite the non-coplanar structure, all compounds exhibited highly crystalline cast films emitting blue light, with an extraordinary variability in morphology and hole mobility up to 8×10⁻³ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Phosphole modified pentathienoacene: synthesis, electronic properties and self-assembly

A series of new ladder π-conjugated materials, phosphole modified pentathienoacene (PO-PTA), are synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray results demonstrate that methyl-disubstituted PO-PTA forms a face-to-face dimer structure driven by π-π interactions. The investigations of optical properties showed that the oxidized phosphole moiety in this ladder system can effectively narrow the band gap. PO-PTA is a promising building block in π-conjugated polymers and oligomers for optoelectronic applications. The derivative of PO-PTA, obtained by introducing four long alkyl chains, can self-assemble into one-dimensional (1D) fibers based on intermolecular π-π interactions, dipole-dipole interactions and van der Waals interactions. Interestingly, the uniform and well-ordered monolayers were also obtained for PO-PTA derivative on a HOPG (highly oriented pyrolytic graphite) surface.     

New porphyrin-polyoxometalate hybrid materials: synthesis, characterization and investigation of catalytic activity in acetylation reactions

New hybrid complexes based on covalent interaction between 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrinatozinc(ii) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)porphyrinatotin(iv) chloride, and a Lindqvist-type polyoxometalate, Mo(6)O(19)(2-), were prepared. These new porphyrin-polyoxometalate hybrid materials were characterized by (1)H NMR, FT IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods and cyclic voltammetry. These spectro- and electrochemical studies provided several spectral data for synthesis of these compounds. Cyclic voltammetry showed the influence of the polyoxometalate on the redox process of the porphyrin ring. The catalytic activity of tin(iv)porphyrin-hexamolybdate hybrid material was investigated in the acetylation of alcohols and phenols with acetic anhydride. The reusability of this catalyst was also investigated.