Biocatalytic Feedback‐Driven Temporal Programming of Self‐Regulating Peptide Hydrogels

Switchable self‐assemblies respond to external stimuli with a transition between near‐equilibrium states. Although being a key to present‐day advanced materials, these systems respond rather passively, and do not display autonomous dynamics. For autonomous behavior, approaches must be found to orchestrate the time domain of self‐assemblies, which would lead to new generations of dynamic and self‐regulating materials. Herein, we demonstrate catalytic control of the time domain of pH‐responsive peptide hydrogelators in a closed system. We program transient acidic pH states by combining a fast acidic activator with the slow, enzymatic, feedback‐driven generation of a base (dormant deactivator). This transient state can be programmed over orders of magnitude in time. It is coupled to dipeptides to create autonomously self‐regulating, dynamic gels with programmed lifetimes, which are used for fluidic guidance, burst release, and self‐erasing rapid prototyping.     

Host–Guest Binding‐Site‐Tunable Self‐Assembly of Stimuli‐Responsive Supramolecular Polymers

Despite the remarkable progress made in controllable self‐assembly of stimuli‐responsive supramolecular polymers (SSPs), a basic issue that has not been consideration to date is the essential binding site. The noncovalent binding sites, which connect the building blocks and endow supramolecular polymers with their ability to respond to stimuli, are expected to strongly affect the self‐assembly of SSPs. Herein, the design and synthesis of a dual‐stimuli thermo‐ and photoresponsive Y‐shaped supramolecular polymer (SSP2) with two adjacent β‐cyclodextrin/azobenzene (β‐CD/Azo) binding sites, and another SSP (SSP1) with similar building blocks, but only one β‐CD/Azo binding site as a control, are described. Upon gradually increasing the polymer solution temperature or irradiating with UV light, SSP2 self‐assemblies with a higher binding‐site distribution density; exhibits a flower‐like morphology, smaller size, and more stable dynamic aggregation process; and greater controllability for drug‐release behavior than those observed with SSP1 self‐assemblies. The host–guest binding‐site‐tunable self‐assembly was attributed to the positive cooperativity generated among adjacent binding sites on the surfaces of SSP2 self‐assemblies. This work is beneficial for precisely controlling the structural parameters and controlled release function of SSP self‐assemblies.     

Stimuli‐Responsive Supramolecular Hydrogels and Their Applications in Regenerative Medicine

Supramolecular hydrogels are a class of self‐assembled network structures formed via non‐covalent interactions of the hydrogelators. These hydrogels capable of responding to external stimuli are considered to be smart materials due to their ability to undergo sol–gel and/or gel–sol transition upon subtle changes in their surroundings. Such stimuli‐responsive hydrogels are intriguing biomaterials with applications in tissue engineering, delivery of cells and drugs, modulating tissue environment to promote innate tissue repair, and imaging for medical diagnostics among others. This review summarizes the recent developments in stimuli‐responsive supramolecular hydrogels and their potential applications in regenerative medicine. Specifically, various structural aspects of supramolecular hydrogelators involved in self‐assembly, the role of external stimuli in tuning/controlling their phase transitions, and how these functions could be harnessed to advance applications in regenerative medicine are focused on. Finally, the key challenges and future prospects for these versatile materials are briefly described.     

Plasmonic Nanocavities Enable Self‐Induced Electrostatic Catalysis

The potential of strong interactions between light and matter remains to be further explored within a chemical context. Towards this end herein we study the electromagnetic interaction between molecules and plasmonic nanocavities. By means of electronic structure calculations, we show that self‐induced catalysis emerges without any external stimuli through the interaction of the molecular permanent and fluctuating dipole moments with the plasmonic cavity modes. We also exploit this scheme to modify the transition temperature T_1/2 of spin‐crossover complexes as an example of how strong light–matter interactions can ultimately be used to control a materials responses.     

Cation‐Tuned Stimuli‐Responsive and Optical Properties of Supramolecular Hydrogels

Hierarchical self‐assembly of an amphiphilic tris‐urea in aqueous media is shown. A mixture of the amphiphilic tris‐urea and an alkaline solution gave a viscous solution composed of fibrous aggregates. This viscous solution transformed into supramolecular hydrogels, which are capable of hierarchically organizing into higher‐order aggregates in response to several cationic triggers. The resulting supramolecular hydrogels were relatively stiff and their storage moduli attained over 10³ Pa. The stimuli‐responsive and optical properties of the resulting hydrogels were influenced by the cationic trigger. Proton and calcium ion triggers gave pH‐ and chemical stimuli‐responsive hydrogels, respectively. A terbium ion trigger also provided a highly luminescent hydrogel through energy transfer from the tris‐urea to terbium.     

Ln3+‐Mediated Self‐Assembly of a Collagen Peptide into Luminescent Banded Helical Nanoropes

Design of biomimetic peptides to achieve the desired properties of natural collagen has much potential to build functional biomaterials. A collagen‐peptide/Ln³⁺ system has been constructed and self‐assembled to form helical nanoropes with a distinct periodic banding pattern characteristic of natural collagen. The fully reversible self‐assembly is specifically mediated by lanthanide ions, but not by other commonly used divalent metal ions. Lanthanide ions not only provide an external biocompatible stimulus of the assembly, but also play as a functional unit to endow the assembled materials with easily tunable photoluminescence. To our knowledge, this is the first report of collagen‐peptide‐based materials with exquisite nanorope structure and excellent photoluminescent features. These novel luminescent nanomaterials may have great potential in cell imaging, medical diagnostics, and luminescent scaffolds for cell cultivation.     

Recent Advances in Self‐Oscillating Polymer Material Systems

In 1996, we first reported self‐oscillating polymer gels exhibiting autonomous swelling‐deswelling oscillations driven by the Belousov‐Zhabotinsky reaction. In contrast to conventional stimuli‐responsive gels, the self‐oscillating gel can autonomously and periodically change its volume in a closed solution without any external stimuli. Since the first report, the novel concept of self‐oscillating gels has been expanded into various polymer and gel systems. Herein, we summarize recent advances in self‐oscillating polymers and gels.     

Functional Liquid‐Crystalline Assemblies: Self‐Organized Soft Materials

In the 21st century, soft materials will become more important as functional materials because of their dynamic nature. Although soft materials are not as highly durable as hard materials, such as metals, ceramics, and engineering plastics, they can respond well to stimuli and the environment. The introduction of order into soft materials induces new dynamic functions. Liquid crystals are ordered soft materials consisting of self‐organized molecules and can potentially be used as new functional materials for electron, ion, or molecular transporting, sensory, catalytic, optical, and bio‐active materials. For this functionalization, unconventional materials design is required. Herein, we describe new approaches to the functionalization of liquid crystals and show how the design of liquid crystals formed by supramolecular assembly and nano‐segregation leads to the formation of a variety of new self‐organized functional materials.     

Reversible Luminescent Switching in an Organic Cocrystal: Multi‐Stimuli‐Induced Crystal‐to‐Crystal Phase Transformation

A luminescent cocrystal system is reported to undergo crystal‐to‐crystal phase transformation from yellow‐emitting polymorph I to green‐emitting polymorph II, triggered by THF fuming or heating, and the green emission can recover to the initial yellow emission by grinding. The established spectroscopic and crystallographic analyses demonstrate that the phase transition occurred and benefits from the combined effect of similar molecular arrange sequence and unique alteration of intermolecular interactions from halogen/hydrogen bonds in I to π–π stacking in II. Furthermore, I and II exhibit red‐shift emission under hydrostatic pressure. The emission of I and II shows a red‐shift and recovers towards the initial emission upon acid–base fuming. This is a rare example of reversible luminescent switching of cocrystal based upon crystal‐to‐crystal phase transition, and provides an alternative strategy to develop multi‐stimuli responsive materials.     

Manipulating the Through‐Space Spin–Spin Interaction of Organic Radicals in the Confined Cavity of a Self‐Assembled Cage

We show a new approach to manipulating the through‐space spin–spin interaction by utilizing the confined cavity of a self‐assembled M₆L₄ coordination cage. The coordination cage readily encapsulates stable organic radicals in solution, which brings the spin centers of the radicals closer to each other. In sharp contrast to the fact that the radical in solution in the absence of the cage is in a doublet state, in the presence of the cage through‐space spin–spin interaction is induced through cage‐encapsulation effects in solution as well as in the solid state, resulting in the triplet state of the complex. These results were confirmed by ESR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. The quantity of triplet species generated by encapsulation in the cage increases with increasing affinity of the radicals to the cage. We estimated the affinity between several types of guests and the cage in solution by cyclic voltammetry. We also demonstrate that the through‐space interaction of organic radicals within the self‐assembled coordination cage can be controlled by external stimuli such as heat or pH.     

X‐ray Radiation‐Controlled NO‐Release for On‐Demand Depth‐Independent Hypoxic Radiosensitization

Multifunctional stimuli‐responsive nanotheranostic systems are highly desirable for realizing simultaneous biomedical imaging and on‐demand therapy with minimized adverse effects. Herein, we present the construction of an intelligent X‐ray‐controlled NO‐releasing upconversion nanotheranostic system (termed as PEG‐USMSs‐SNO) by engineering UCNPs with S‐nitrosothiol (R‐SNO)‐grafted mesoporous silica. The PEG‐USMSs‐SNO is designed to respond sensitively to X‐ray radiation for breaking down the S N bond of SNO to release NO, which leads to X‐ray dose‐controlled NO release for on‐demand hypoxic radiosensitization besides upconversion luminescent imaging through UCNPs in vitro and in vivo. Thanks to the high live‐body permeability of X‐ray, our developed PEG‐USMSs‐SNO may provide a new technique for achieving depth‐independent controlled NO release and positioned radiotherapy enhancement against deep‐seated solid tumors.     

Facile synthesis of self‐healing gel via magnetocaloric bottom‐ignited frontal polymerization

A series of the self‐healing gels facilely fabricated by VI (N‐vinyl imidazole) and MAH‐β‐CD (β‐cyclodextrin grafted vinyl carboxylic acid groups) via bottom‐ignited frontal polymerization (BIFP) initiated by magnetocaloric effect. Once ignited the bottom phase, the heat upward propagates to generate the “front” in the upper phase. Then, no further energy is added to maintain the reaction and the whole polymerization process experiences within minutes. In this system, the dependence of frontal velocity and temperature, along with morphology, swelling capacity, mechanical property, and self‐healing efficiency, on the preparation parameters is investigated. Interestingly, the gels show good swelling capacity in the organic solvent, comparatively almost no absorption in water. Moreover, the as‐prepared gels exhibit excellent auto‐healing properties without any external stimuli at ambient temperature. The healed sample possesses 97% recovery of its tensile strength after 8 h healing time, which relies largely on the host–guest interaction between VI and MAH‐β‐CD. The results demonstrate that FP can be utilized as an efficient and energy‐saving method to synthesize self‐healing supramolecular gels. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2585–2593     

Self‐assembly of supramolecular polymers into tunable helical structures

There is growing interest in the design of synthetic molecules that are able to self‐assemble into a polymeric chain with compact helical conformations, which is analogous to the folded state of natural proteins. Herein, we highlight supramolecular approach to the formation of helical architectures and their conformational changes driven by external stimuli. Helical organization in synthetic self‐assembling systems can be achieved by the various types of noncovalent interactions, which include hydrogen bonding, solvophobic effects, and metal‐ligand interactions. Since the external environment can have a large influence on the strength and configuration of noncovalent interactions between the individual components, stimulus‐induced alterations in the intramolecular noncovalent interactions can result in dynamic conformational change of the supramolecular helical structure thus, driving significant changes in the properties of the materials. Therefore, these supramolecular helices hold great promise as stimuli‐responsive materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1925–1935, 2008     

A Mechanochromic Luminescent Dye Exhibiting On/Off Switching by Crystalline–Amorphous Transitions

A mechanochromic luminescent dye based on a simple aminomaleimide skeleton was readily synthesized in a one‐pot process. It exhibited an on/off mechanochromic luminescent switching property dependent on external stimuli, unlike a traditional mechanochromic color change. The green emission was turned on by grinding in a mortar and turned off by heating or treatment with dichloromethane. In the crystalline state, two molecules were stacked by cofacial π–π interactions, which caused concentration self‐quenching. The crystalline‐to‐amorphous transition induced by grinding removed cofacial π–π stacking, which led to intensive emission. Crystallizing processes recovered the cofacial π–π stacking, resulting in elimination of the emission. Theoretical calculations and X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that the dye molecule was distorted in the crystalline state; thus even a mechanical stimulus caused the crystalline‐to‐amorphous transition.     

Stimulus‐Responsive Metal–Organic Frameworks

Materials that can recognize the changes in their local environment and respond by altering their inherent physical and/or chemical properties are strong candidates for future “smart” technology materials. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years owing to their designable architecture, host–guest chemistry, and softness as porous materials. Despite this fact, studies on the tuning of the properties of MOFs by external stimuli are still rare. This review highlights the recent developments in the field of stimulus‐responsive MOFs or so‐called smart MOFs. In particular, the various stimuli used and the utility of stimulus‐responsive smart MOFs for various applications such as gas storage and separation, sensing, clean energy, catalysis, molecular motors, and biomedical applications are highlighted by using representative examples. Future directions in the developments of stimulus‐responsive smart MOFs and their applications are proposed from a personal perspective.     

Polyurethane–oligo(phenylenevinylene) random copolymers: π‐Conjugated pores,vesicles, and nanospheres via solvent‐induced self‐organization

We report a new series of polyurethane–oligo(phenylenevinylene) (OPV) random copolymers and their self‐assembled nanomaterials such as pores, vesicles, and luminescent spheres. The polymers were synthesized through melt transurethane process by reacting a hydroxyl‐functionalized OPV with diurethane monomer and diol under solvent‐free and nonisocyanate conditions. The amount of OPV was varied up to 50 mol % in the feed to incorporate various amounts of π‐conjugated segments in the polyurethane backbone. The π‐conjugated segmented polymers were subjected to solvent induced self‐organization in THF or THF+water to produce variety of morphologies ranging from pores (500 nm to 1 μm) to spheres (100 nm to 2 μm). Upon shining 370‐nm light, the dark solid nanospheres of the copolymers transformed into blue luminescent nanoballs under fluorescence microscope. The mechanistic aspects of the self‐organization process were studied using solution FTIR and photophysical techniques such as absorption and emission to trace the factors which control the morphology. FTIR studies revealed that the hydrogen bonding plays a significant role in the copolymers with lower amount of OPV units. Time resolved fluorescent decay measurements of copolymers revealed that molecular aggregation via π‐conjugated segments play a major role in the samples with higher OPV content in the random block polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 46: 5897–5915, 2008     

Self‐Assembly of Highly Stable Zirconium(IV) Coordination Cages with Aggregation Induced Emission Molecular Rotors for Live‐Cell Imaging

The self‐assembly of highly stable zirconium(IV)‐based coordination cages with aggregation induced emission (AIE) molecular rotors for in vitro bio‐imaging is reported. The two coordination cages, NUS‐100 and NUS‐101, are assembled from the highly stable trinuclear zirconium vertices and two flexible carboxyl‐decorated tetraphenylethylene (TPE) spacers. Extensive experimental and theoretical results show that the emissive intensity of the coordination cages can be controlled by restricting the dynamics of AIE‐active molecular rotors though multiple external stimuli. Because the two coordination cages have excellent chemical stability in aqueous solutions (pH stability: 2–10) and impressive AIE characteristics contributed by the molecular rotors, they can be employed as novel biological fluorescent probes for in vitro live‐cell imaging.     

Stimuli‐Responsive Reversible Fluorescence Switching in a Crystalline Donor–Acceptor Mixture Film: Mixed Stack Charge‐Transfer Emission versus Segregated Stack Monomer Emission

We report on a molecularly tailored 1:1 donor–acceptor (D‐A) charge‐transfer (CT) cocrystal that manifests strongly red‐shifted CT luminescence characteristics, as well as noteworthy reconfigurable self‐assembling behaviors. A loosely packed molecular organization is obtained as a consequence of the noncentrosymmetric chemical structure of molecule A1 , which gives rise to considerable free volume and weak intermolecular interactions. The stacking features of the CT complex result in an external stimuli‐responsive molecular stacking reorganization between the mixed and demixed phases of the D‐A pair. Accordingly, high‐contrast fluorescence switching (red?blue) is realized on the basis of the strong alternation of the electronic properties between the mixed and demixed phases. A combination of structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies reveal the underlying mechanism of this stimuli‐responsive behavior.     

Multistimuli‐Responsive Supramolecular Organogels Formed by Low‐Molecular‐Weight Peptides Bearing Side‐Chain Azobenzene Moieties

This work demonstrates that the incorporation of azobenzene residues into the side chain of low‐molecular‐weight peptides can modulate their self‐assembly process in organic solvents leading to the formation of stimuli responsive physical organogels. The major driving forces for the gelation process are hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions, which can be triggered either by thermal or ultrasound external stimuli, affording materials having virtually the same properties. In addition, a predictive model for gelation of polar protic solvent was developed by using Kamlet–Taft solvent parameters and experimental data. The obtained viscoelastic materials exhibited interconnected multistimuli responsive behaviors including thermal‐, photo‐, chemo‐ and mechanical responses. All of them displayed thermoreversability with gel‐to‐sol transition temperatures established between 33–80 °C and gelation times from minutes to several hours. Structure–property relationship studies of a designed peptide library have demonstrated that the presence and position of the azobenzene residue can be operated as a versatile regulator to reduce the critical gelation concentration and enhance both the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the gels, as demonstrated by comparative dynamic rheology. The presence of N‐Boc protecting group in the peptides showed also a remarkable effect on the formation and properties of the gels. Despite numerous examples of peptide‐based gelators known in the literature, this is the first time in which low‐molecular‐weight peptides bearing side chain azobenzene units are used for the synthesis of “intelligent” supramolecular organogels. Compared with other approaches, this strategy is advantageous in terms of structural flexibility since it is compatible with a free, unprotected amino terminus and allows placement of the chromophore at any position of the peptide sequence.     

NIR light and enzyme dual stimuli‐responsive amphiphilic diblock copolymer assemblies

Using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and macromolecular azo coupling reaction, both o‐nitrobenzyl (ONB) group and azobenzene group were efficiently incorporated into the center of the amphiphilic diblock copolymer chain. The prepared diblock copolymer was well characterized by UV–vis, ¹H NMR, and GPC methods. Self‐assembly of the amphiphilic copolymer in selected solvents can result in uniform self‐assembly aggregates. In the presence of external stimuli [upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)/NIR light or enzyme], the amphiphilic diblock copolymer chain could be broken by the cleavage of ONB or azobenzene group, which would lead to the disruption of the self‐assembly aggregates. This photo‐ and enzyme‐triggered disruption process was proved by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and GPC method. Fluorescence emission spectra measurements indicated that the release of Nile red, a hydrophobic dye, encapsulated by the self‐assembly aggregates, could be successfully realized under the NIR light and enzyme stimuli. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2450–2457