Beta-1,3-glucan polysaccharide (schizophyllan) acting as a one-dimensional host for creating supramolecular dye assemblies

We have demonstrated that one-dimensional supramolecular dye assemblies with a uniform diameter can be created by utilizing schizophyllan (SPG) as a one-dimensional host. In the supramolecular nanofibers, the dye molecules are assembled into the different aggregation modes depending on the preparation procedures. The findings establish that SPG is useful for creating the supramolecular nanofibers, where temporal superstructures can be stabilized by the SPG-specific helical higher-order structure. [structure: see text].     

Beta-1,3-glucan (schizophyllan) can act as a one-dimensional host for creation of novel poly(aniline) nanofiber structures

We here demonstrate the creation of novel poly(aniline) (PANI) nanofiber structures by a polymer wrapping method using schizophyllan (SPG). Mannose-modified SPG can also wrap PANIs to give nanofibers having a lectin affinity. This interaction is applicable to designing novel PANI/protein composites. The results establish that SPG can act as a novel "host" to assemble PANIs into one-dimensional superstructures. [reaction: see text]     

Oligosilane-nanofibers can be prepared through fabrication of permethyldecasilane within a helical superstructure of schizophyllan

[chemical structure: see text]. Schizophyllan can interact with permethyldecasilane to produce the corresponding decasilane-nanofiber, in which the decasilane adopts helical conformations in a tubular hollow created by the helical superstructure of schizophyllan.     

Creation of unique supramolecular nanoarchitectures utilizing natural polysaccharide as a one-dimensional host

We recently revealed that β-1,3-glucans act as unique natural nanotubes, which can accept functional polymers and molecular assemblies in an induced-fit manner. A variety of individual conjugated polymers or molecular assemblies can be incorporated into the one-dimensional hollow constructed by the helical superstructure of β-1,3-glucans to create water-soluble one-dimensional nanocomposites. The advantageous point of the present hosting system is that the selective modification of β-1,3-glucans leads to the creation of various functional one-dimensional nanocomposites in a supramolecular manner. Furthermore, the composites with functional surfaces can act as one-dimensional building blocks toward further hierarchical self-assembles, leading to the creation of two- or three-dimensional nanoarchitectures, which are applicable for fundamental nanomaterials.     

Soluble poly(diacetylene)s using the perfluorophenyl-phenyl motif as a supramolecular synthon

A series of diacetylene monomers with benzoyl, 4-hexylbenzoyl, 4-dodecylbenzoyl, and perfluorobenzoyl substituents were synthesized and investigated with respect to their crystal structures and polymerizability. In the absence of perfluorophenyl-phenyl interactions, the crystal structures of related alkylated and nonalkylated derivatives were substantially different and dominated by the phase segregation between the alkylated side chains and the diaryl-substituted diacetylene cores. By contrast, the perfluorophenyl-phenyl interactions served as a reliable supramolecular synthon in that they persisted in the crystal structures of different alkylated and nonalkylated derivatives. The packing of the diacetylene functions was appropriate for a topochemical polymerization in these cases, and the perfluorophenyl-phenyl interaction determined the polymerization direction. As a result, soluble alternating diacetylene copolymers were obtained which were further characterized with solution phase methods.     

Beta-1,3-glucan polysaccharide can act as a one-dimensional host to create novel silica nanofiber structures

We have demonstrated that the creation of novel silica nanofibers with a uniform diameter is possible by utilizing beta-1,3-glucan polysaccharide as a one-dimensional host for monoalkoxysilane; the finding establishes that beta-1,3-glucan can act not only as a novel one-dimensional host for metal alkoxide polycondensation but also as an interface between inorganic nanofibers and functional organic molecules.     

Poly(diiododiacetylene): preparation, isolation, and full characterization of a very simple poly(diacetylene)

Poly(diiodiacetylene), or PIDA, is a conjugated polymer containing the poly(diacetylene) (PDA) backbone but with only iodine atom substituents. The monomer diiodobutadiyne (1) can be aligned in the solid state with bis(nitrile) oxalamide hosts by hydrogen bonds between oxalamide groups and weak Lewis acid-base interactions (halogen bonds) between nitriles and iodoalkynes. The resulting cocrystals start out pale blue but turn shiny and copper-colored as the polymerization progresses. The development of a crystallization methodology that greatly improves the yield of PIDA to about 50% now allows the full characterization of the polymer by X-ray diffraction, solid-state (13)C MAS NMR, Raman, and electron absorption spectroscopy. Comparison of a series of hosts reveals an odd-even effect in the topochemical polymerization, based on the alkyl chain length of the host. In the cocrystals formed with bis(pentanenitrile) oxalamide (4) and bis(heptanenitrile) oxalamide (6), the host/guest ratio is 1:2 and the monomer polymerizes spontaneously at room temperature, while in the case of bis(butanenitrile) oxalamide (3) and bis(hexanenitrile) oxalamide (5), where the host and guest form cocrystals in a 1:1 ratio, the polymerization is disfavored and does not go to completion. The topochemical polymerization can also be observed in water suspensions of micrometer-sized 6.1 cocrystals; the size distribution of these microcrystals, and the resulting polymer chains, can be controlled by sonication. Completely polymerized PIDA cocrystals show a highly resolved vibronic progression in their UV/vis absorption spectra. Extensive rinsing of the crystals in organic solvents such as methanol, THF, and chloroform separates the polymer from the soluble host. Once isolated, PIDA forms blue suspensions in a variety of solvents. The UV/vis absorption spectra of these suspensions match the cocrystal spectrum, without the vibronic resolution. However, they also include a new longer-wavelength absorption peak, associated with aggregation of the polymer chains.     

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) as a particulate emulsifier

The structure and stability of emulsions formed in the presence of nanoparticles of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were characterised. From oil-water contact angles on PLGA films, it was deduced that particle surface hydrophobicity is linked to the oil phase polarity. Incorporation of polyvinyl alcohol molecules into the nanoparticle surfaces reduces the particle hydrophobicity sufficiently for oil-in-water emulsions to be preferentially stabilised. PLGA nanoparticles enhance the stability of emulsions formed from a wide range of oils of different polarities. The nanoparticle concentration was found to be a key parameter controlling the average size and coalescence stability of the emulsion drops. Visualisation of the interfacial structure by electron microscopy indicated that PLGA nanoparticles were located at the drop surfaces, evidence of the capacity of these particles to stabilise Pickering-type emulsions. These results provide insights into the mechanism of PLGA nanoparticle stabilisation of emulsions.     

Poly(methyl methacrylate) composites with size‐selected silver nanoparticles fabricated using cluster beam technique

An embedment of metal nanoparticles of well‐defined sizes in thin polymer films is of significant interest for a number of practical applications, in particular, for preparing materials with tunable plasmonic properties. In this article, we present a fabrication route for metal–polymer composites based on cluster beam technique allowing the formation of monocrystalline size‐selected silver nanoparticles with a ±5–7% precision of diameter and controllable embedment into poly (methyl methacrylate). It is shown that the soft‐landed silver clusters preserve almost spherical shape with a slight tendency to flattening upon impact. By controlling the polymer hardness (from viscous to soft state) prior the cluster deposition and annealing conditions after the deposition the degree of immersion of the nanoparticles into polymer can be tuned, thus, making it possible to create composites with either particles partly or fully embedded into the film. Good size selection and rather homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in the thin polymer film lead to excellent plasmonic properties characterized by the narrow band and high quality factor of localized surface plasmon resonance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1152–1159     

Poly (4-methoxyphenol) film as a galactose-sensing material

Poly (4-methoxyphenol)-galactose oxidase biosensor for galactose is reported. This amperometric biosensor was prepared in a one-step procedure by electrochemical polymerization of the relevant monomer in the presence of galactose oxidase on Pt electrode surface in a KCl solution at potential of 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. From the steady-state amperometric responses to galactose of the resulting polymeric biosensor, its sensor characteristics such as feasibility of preparation, linear range, response time, selectivity and stability were evaluated.     

Synthesis of Poly(N-ethylaniline) Nanoparticles Synthesis and Characterization of Organically Soluble Conducting Poly(N-ethylaniline) Nanoparticles using Acrylic Acid as a Soft Template

In this paper, we report the synthesis of poly(N-ethylaniline) (PNETA) by using tartaric acid (TA) as an organic acid dopant by aqueous polymerization method of N-ethylaniline using ammonium per sulphate (APS) as an oxidant and acrylic acid (AA) as a soft template. This is a new polymerization method for the direct synthesis of the emeraldine salt form of poly(N-ethylaniline) in bulk quantity, which is soluble in organic solvents such as m-cresol and N-methyl pyrrolidinone. The prepared polymers were characterized by UV, FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM and conductivity measurement studies. The results are discussed with reference to HCl doped poly(N-ethylaniline). It is observed that PNETA/TA/AA polymer is comparatively more soluble in m-cresol than that doped with HCl in its salt form. The formation of emeraldine salt phase and dopping process was confirmed by FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscropy. We demonstrate the effect of organic dopant on the morphology and conductivity of the PNETA. It was found that, PNETA doped with TA synthesized using acrylic acid (AA) as a soft template display higher doping level, crystallinity and solubility in common organic solvent. On the contrary, HCl doped polymer was lowered at doping level and amorphous in nature which reflects the role of organic dopant and soft template. X-ray diffraction studies indicate that the PNETA/TA/AA doped samples exhibit higher crystallinity, which indicates enhanced polymer sub-chain alignment as compared to HCl doped polymer. This is also manifested by the FTIR studies. SEM result also revealed the continuous morphology and sub-micrometer size, evenly distributed particles of the PNETA/TA/AA doped polymer.     

Investigation of ion binding in ionic polysaccharide solutions using Tb(III) as a luminescent probe

The luminescence properties of a series of lanthanide-substituted ionic polysaccharides have been examined in an attempt to learn about the nature of interactions between the metalions and the polymers. Emission and excitation spectra were obtained for Tb(III) complexes with carboxymethyl cellulose, Sclerox S-1.0, alginate, polygalacturonic acid, amylose sulfate, dextran sulfate, and i-carrageenan. Studies of the chirality associated with the metal-ion binding sites were performed through the use of circularly polarized luminescence spectroscopy. It was learned that the lanthanide ions could form complexes with polysaccharides in the electrostatic manner of polyelectrolytes, and that specific ligating groups could further influence the metal-ion binding characteristics.     

Turn‐On Fluorescence Detection of Apoptotic Cells Using a Zinc(II)‐Dipicolylamine‐Functionalized Poly(diacetylene) Liposome

A liposome‐based fluorescence sensing system for apoptotic cells has been developed from stimuli‐responsive poly(diacetylene)‐liposomes for the first time. The combination of the liposome components, a phosphatidylserine‐binding Zn^II‐dipicolylamine component and an alcohol‐terminated component in the ratio of 2:1, has led to an efficient detection system for apoptotic cells, as demonstrated by confocal fluorescence microscopy and FACS analysis. The liposome shows a color change from blue to reddish purple and emits fluorescence in the turn‐on mode upon interaction with phosphatidylserine. The present system thus avoids the washing steps required for “always‐on”‐type sensing systems.     

Poly(methylmethacrylate) microchip electrophoresis of proteins using linear-poly(acrylamide) solutions as separation matrix.

Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) microchip electrophoresis of sodium dodecyl sulfate-protein complexes (SDS-PC) using linear-poly(acrylamide) (L-PA) as a separation matrix was investigated. Prior to electrophoresis, channel walls of PMMA were modified with methylcellulose (MC) to prevent adsorption between channel walls and SDS-PC. Size-based protein separation (SBPS) was successfully performed using the MC-coated microchips with Ferguson plot-fittings. The entangled L-PA solution provided high resolution of peaks of SDS-PC when the concentration of L-PA was increased. Some investigations into the separation mechanism, such as the plot of the logarithm of mobility of each SDS-PC versus the logarithm of the molecular weight of the complex exhibiting linear behavior, indicated that the separation mechanism was dependent on mass discrimination, in accordance with Ogston model.     

Poly(ether sulfone)s using a rigid dibenzothiophene dioxide heterocycle

Poly(aryl ether)s were prepared by nucleophilic aromatic substitution using conformationally restricted dichloro‐ and difluorodibenzothiophene dioxide heterocyclic monomers with bisphenol A or bisphenol AF. The heterocyclic monomers were prepared from the bis(4‐halophenyl) sulfones in two steps via lithiation followed by copper catalyzed intramolecular coupling and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and GC/MS. Reactivity of the fluorine containing monomer was examined using semi‐empirical methods and NMR spectroscopy measurements and found to be potentially more reactive than bis(4‐fluorophenyl) sulfone, even with a conformationally locked sulfone as the electron withdrawing group. Successful polymerizations of both the fluorine and chlorine containing monomers with bisphenol A and bisphenol AF nucleophiles were accomplished, providing polymers with number average molecular weights of approximately 45 kg/mol (difluoro monomer) and 10–20 kg/mol (dichloro monomer). The polymers exhibited high T_gs ranging from 238 to 256 °C and displayed good thermal stability with 5% degradation temperatures in air from 453–510 °C, depending on molecular weight and bisphenol composition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3127–3131     

Rapid self-assembly of oligo(o-phenylenediamine) into one-dimensional structures through a facile reprecipitation route

The self-assembly of oligo(o-phenylenediamine) (OPD) into 1-D nanostructures on a macroscopic length scale was found when they were transferred from N-methyl pyrrolidone to deionized water. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy were used to investigate the morphology of the precipitates. Results showed that large amounts of OPD 1-D supertructures could be obtained through the simple reprecipitation route, and the length of the fibers could be tuned from microscale to macroscale by adjusting the ratio of two solvents. X-ray diffraction patterns and UV-vis spectra revealed that pi-pi interactions between OPD molecules that facilitated the formation of 1-D structures became predominant when they were transferred from a good solvent to a bad one. Accordingly, a possible formation mechanism was proposed.     

Oriented organic islands and one-dimensional chains on a Au(111) surface fabricated by electrodeposition: an STM study

Organic islands and oriented one-dimensional (1D) chains are fabricated on a Au(111) surface by electrodeposition. The cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of Au(111) in solutions containing nitrobenzene and picric acid show an electrochemical reaction in a negative potential region, which results in irreversible reductive deposition. The deposition process is monitored by in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM). At the double layer potential region, for example, nitrobenzene molecules form a well-defined adlayer in a (square root(3) x square root(3)) structure. With potential shifting negative to the reductive region, nitrobenzene is reduced to hydroxyaminobenzene. Organic islands were formed first and then aggregated into ordered 1D chains. The formation of these organic islands and 1D chains is completely potential-dependent. Intriguingly, the so-prepared islands and 1D chains are well-oriented along the reconstructed lines of the underlying Au(111) substrate and stable under ambient conditions even if the sample was removed from electrolyte solution. The results reported here provide a simple and effective method to fabricate oriented organic nanodots and nanowires on a solid surface by an electrochemical technique.     

Modular Synthesis of Triarylamines and Poly(triarylamine)s through a Radical Mechanism

A modular protocol for the triarylamine synthesis has been developed using diarylamines and electron-rich arenes, such as phenols, as the building blocks. The KI/KIO₄ system proves to be highly efficient for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of phenothiazines/phenoxazines with phenols/anilines. A wide range of functional groups attached to both coupling partners were well tolerated. Through the manipulation of reaction temperatures, the sequential assembly of bis-triarylamines could be achieved to provide the unsymmetrically bis-aminated phenols efficiently. Furthermore, the multiple aminated polyphenols were rapidly constructed in good to high yields by a single operation.     

Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) as a matrix for immobilization of lipase

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was found to be suitable for the immobilization of lipase fromCandida rugosa. The best result based on hydrolytic activity was obtained by adsorption of the purified unbuffered enzyme solution onto PMMA beads without any modification of the beads. Prolonged exposure of the protein to the beads increased its adsorption but the expressed activity decreased after 1 h of exposure. The magnitude of the immobilized activity also varied with the size of the beads. Immobilization of the lipase shifted its optimal reaction temperature from 37 to 45°C. The immobilized enzyme is also more stable than the free enzyme in solution. The operational half-life of the immobilized lipase packed in a column and assayed in a closed system is 40 d.