Responsive Inverse Opal Hydrogels for the Sensing of Macromolecules

Dual responsive inverse opal hydrogels were designed as autonomous sensor systems for (bio)macromolecules, exploiting the analyte‐induced modulation of the opal’s structural color. The systems that are based on oligo(ethylene glycol) macromonomers additionally incorporate comonomers with various recognition units. They combine a coil‐to‐globule collapse transition of the LCST type with sensitivity of the transition temperature toward molecular recognition processes. This enables the specific detection of macromolecular analytes, such as glycopolymers and proteins, by simple optical methods. While the inverse opal structure assists the effective diffusion even of large analytes into the photonic crystal, the stimulus responsiveness gives rise to strong shifts of the optical Bragg peak of more than 100 nm upon analyte binding at a given temperature. The systems’ design provides a versatile platform for the development of easy‐to‐use, fast, and low‐cost sensors for pathogens.     

智能聚合物包覆的金纳米粒子*

本文综述了智能聚合物包覆的金纳米粒子的研究进展,重点介绍了智能聚合物包覆金纳米粒子的制备方法,包括原位合成法、配体置换法、表面引发聚合法和表面接枝聚合法等,以及智能聚合物包覆的金纳米粒子的智能响应类型,如温度敏感型、pH敏感型、pH/电解质双重敏感型、pH/温度双重敏感型、溶剂敏感型等。     

Switchable gas permeability of a polypropylene-liquid crystalline composite film

The development of functionalized polyolefins for use as stimuli-responsive commodity polymers has recently received much attention. In this work, a microporous polypropylene (PP) scaffold is used to align and fortify a smectic liquid crystalline network (LCN) which can switch its gas permeability upon pH changes. The LCN is a photopolymerized liquid crystalline mixture of a dimerized benzoic acid derivative monoacrylate and a diacrylate crosslinker. In the hydrogen-bonded state, the composite membrane shows a high-molecular order and a low permeability for He, N₂, and CO₂ gases. By pH switching from the hydrogen-bonded state to the salt form, the molecular order is reduced, and the gas permeability is increased by one order of magnitude. This increase is mainly attributed to a loss in order of the system, increasing the free volume, resulting in an increased diffusibility. By exposing the composite film to basic or acidic environments, reversible switching between low and high gas permeability states is observed, respectively. The physical constraints imposed by the PP scaffold strengthens the membrane while the reversible switching inside the liquid crystalline polymer is maintained. This switching of gas permeation properties is not possible with the fragile freestanding LCN films alone.     

Responsive Photonic Liquid Marbles

Liquid marbles have potential to serve as mini-reactors for fabricating new materials, but this has been exploited little and mostly for conventional chemical reactions. Here, we uncover the unparalleled capability of liquid marbles to act as platforms for controlling the self-assembly of a bio-derived polymer, hydroxypropyl cellulose, into a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase showing structural coloration by Bragg reflection. By adjusting the cholesteric pitch via quantitative water extraction, we achieve liquid marbles that we can tailor for structural color anywhere in the visible range. Liquid marbles respond with color change that can be detected by eye, to changes in temperature, exposure to toxic chemicals and mechanical deformation. Our concept demonstrates the advantages of using liquid marbles as a miniature platform for controlling the liquid crystal self-assembly of bio-derived polymers, and their exploitation to fabricate sustainable, responsive soft photonic objects.     

胆甾液晶／聚合物多组分体系的结构与性质研究

用Ｘ－射线衍射法详细研究了ＣｈＮ／Ｐｏｌｙ（ＭＭＡ－ｃｏ－ＢＭＡ）共混体系在胆甾相，近晶相及结晶态的分子排列，并给出了将液晶的分子排列冻结在体系中的，从而实现信息存储功能的条件。     

Responsive photonic crystals

This Review summarizes recent developments in the field of responsive photonic crystal structures, including principles for design and fabrication and many strategies for applications, for example as optical switches or chemical and biological sensors. A number of fabrication methods are now available to realize responsive photonic structures, the majority of which rely on self-assembly processes to achieve ordering. Compared with microfabrication techniques, self-assembly approaches have lower processing costs and higher production efficiency, however, major efforts are still needed to further develop such approaches. In fact, some emerging techniques such as spin coating, magnetic assembly, and flow-induced self-assembly have already shown great promise in overcoming current challenges. When designing new systems with improved performance, it is always helpful to bear in mind the lessons learnt from natural photonic structures.     

Effects of polymer network on electrically induced reflection band broadening of cholesteric liquid crystals

The reflection band of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals with negative dielectric anisotropy can be broadened by DC electric fields, which was ascribed to the pitch gradient caused by the motion of the structural chirality, that is, the polymer network. They systematically varied the mixture components, such as the photo‐initiator concentration, the monomer functionality, and the chiral dopant, to explore their influences on the reflection band broadening behavior. They learned how to control the polymer network morphology and ion density, which in turn determined the reflection bandwidth. By optimizing the mixture, they have greatly enhanced the broadening effect and achieved large bandwidth at low voltages. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 835–846     

Airbrush Formation of Liquid Crystal/Polymer Fibers

A homogeneous solution of a low‐molecular‐weight liquid crystal and a polymer spontaneously phase separates during airbrushing to form uniform fibers with a fluid liquid‐crystal core surrounded by a solid polymer sheath. This structure forms because it effectively minimizes the interfacial energy of the phase‐separated components while minimizing the elastic energy of the liquid‐crystal core. These fibers incorporate the sensitive stimuli response of liquid crystals while maintaining the structural integrity, flexibility, and large surface‐area‐to‐volume ratios inherent in fibers. We demonstrate the electro‐ and thermo‐optical response of the resulting fibers. They may find use as biological and chemical sensors. The resulting fibers have the potential to shape the future of flexible/wearable electronics and sensors.     

Platinum(II) Metallomesogens: New External‐Stimuli‐Responsive Photoluminescence Materials

New dicatenar isoquinoline‐functionalized pyrazoles, [Hpz^R(n,n)iq] (R(n,n)=C₆H₃(OC_nH_2n+1)₂; n=4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18), have been strategically designed and synthesized to induce mesomorphic and luminescence properties into the corresponding bis(isoquinolinylpyrazolate)platinum(II) complexes [Pt(pz^R(n,n)iq)₂]. Thermal studies reveal that all platinum(II) compounds exhibit columnar mesophases over an exceptionally wide temperature range, above 300 °C in most cases. The photophysical behavior was also investigated in solution and in the solid state. As a consequence of the formation of Pt???Pt interactions, the weak greenish emission of the platinum derivatives turns bright orange in the mesophase. Additionally, the complexes are sensitive to a great variety of external inputs, such as temperature, mechanical grinding, pressure, solvents, and vapors. On this basis, they are used as dopant agents of a polyvinylpyrrolidone or poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer matrix to achieve stimuli‐responsive thin films.     

Nanofibrillar Stimulus‐Responsive Cholesteric Microgels with Catalytic Properties

We report composite stimulus‐responsive cholesteric catalytically active microgels derived from filamentous supramolecular building blocks: cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The variation in the microgel dimensions and pitch in response to the change in ambient conditions was governed by the polymer component. The cholesteric morphology of the microgels resulted from the self‐organization of CNCs in spherical confinement. The microgels exhibited excellent structural integrity and functioned as microreactors in catalytic hydrolysis reactions and in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Because of these collective properties, the reported microgels show much promise for application in the design of functional responsive materials.     

二氧化碳刺激响应的荧光传感器*

CO₂刺激响应聚合物作为一种智能刺激响应材料,因其在可逆的调控过程中通常只涉及CO₂气体的通入和排出而具有广泛的应用前景。CO₂荧光传感器是将CO₂的浓度变化转化为可检测到的荧光信号,可实现对CO₂浓度的实时监测和可逆调控,也有助于我国如期实现2030年前碳达峰和2060年前碳中和的生态文明建设目标。本文简要介绍CO₂刺激响应物质的基本原理和常见分类方式,阐述该类物质在构筑荧光传感器方面的妙用,围绕响应灵敏性、响应速率、循环使用性和抗干扰性等传感性能指标的研究成果进行讨论。最后对CO₂刺激响应荧光传感器的改进方向和应用前景进行了展望。     

A Polymer Composite Film with Reversible Responsive Behaviors

Summary: A responsive polymer composite film was generated by the use of reversibly switchable surface morphology of polystyrene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS‐b‐PMMA) films in response to different block selective solvents on the rough isotactic poly(propylene) (i‐PP) substrate. The maximum difference of the water contact angle of the composite films increased from 22.6° of PS‐b‐PMMA films on the smooth substrate to 42.6° when they were treated by PS and PMMA selective solvents, respectively. The mechanisms of the responsive extent enhanced and the superhydrophobicity of the composite films were discussed in detail.

Schematic illustration of how to fabricate a wettability‐responsive composite film: (a) on the flat Si substrate, (b) on the rough PP substrate.     

电场响应光子晶体

光子晶体是一种介电常数周期变化、具有光子带隙、对光路可控的新型功能材料。将对外界刺激敏感性材料引入光子晶体空隙就得到可响应光子晶体。电场响应光子晶体是由电活性材料与光子晶体结构相结合所得,可以应用于反射型彩色显示并表现出其他显示技术所没有的独特优点。本文重点介绍了电场响应光子晶体器件的结构和响应机理,并按照引入电活性材料的不同将电场响应光子晶体分为基于液晶、聚电解质水凝胶、金属有机聚合物凝胶、导电聚合物以及核壳式电场响应光子晶体,总结了近几年各类电场响应光子晶体的研究进展,提出了在反射型彩色显示器件方面的应用以及存在的问题和展望。     

胆甾液晶／聚合物多组分体系的结构与性质研究Ⅳ．ChN／Poly（MMA－co－BMA）混合体系的X－射线衍射研究

用Ｘ－射线衍射法详细研究了ＣｈＮ／Ｐｏｌｙ（ＭＭＡ－ｃｏ－ＢＭＡ）共混体系在胆笛（Ｃｈ）相，近晶（Ｓ）相及结晶（Ｋ）态的分子排列。并给出了将液晶态的分子排列冻结在体系中，从而实现信息存储功能的条件。     

基于胆汁酸的刺激响应聚合物

刺激响应聚合物是当今材料科学研究的热点之一。其在外界刺激下,自身的物理或者化学性质发生变化产生响应,在药物可控释放、生物传感器、催化、吸附分离等方面有广阔的应用。胆汁酸是天然的甾类生物分子,其分子结构中含有羟基和羧基等官能团,容易进行化学修饰,且具有双亲性和一定的刚性。在聚合物中引入胆汁酸分子,能够从结构和功能两个方面丰富刺激响应高分子的研究。一方面,胆汁酸及修饰的胆汁酸既可以作为单体直接聚合,也可以被连接到含有一定官能团的聚合物上,由此可以得到以胆汁酸作为主链、侧基、端基,以及胆汁酸作为星形聚合物的核等多种聚合物结构。另一方面,胆汁酸的引入不仅可以提高聚合物的生物相容性,有效地赋予聚合物胆汁酸结构的独特性质,而且可以用于构建具有一定刺激响应功能的组装结构,进而应用于形状记忆、手性分离、药物载体等材料中。本文综述了基于胆汁酸的刺激响应聚合物近年来的相关工作,从基于胆汁酸的刺激响应聚合物的分子设计和结构构筑出发,结合其性质和应用进行论述,也对该领域的改进和发展提出展望。     

Smart Nanocontainers: Progress on Novel Stimuli‐Responsive Polymer Vesicles

In the past decade, polymer vesicles prepared by self‐assembly techniques have attracted increasing scientific interest based on their unique features highlighted with tunable membrane properties, versatility, stability, and capacity of transporting hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic species. Polymersomes exhibit intriguing potential applications such as cell mimicking dimensions and functions, tunable delivery vehicles, for the templating of biomineralization, nanoreactors, and as scaffolds for biological conjugation. In this Feature Article, an overview of the preparation and application of recently developed “smart” polymer vesicles, which can respond to the novel external stimuli, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), electrochemical potential, ultrasound, enzyme, near‐infrared light, and magnetic field is given. The response mechanism and morphology change are explored with specific focus on the functionalization of various domains of the polymer vesicles. In addition, the current limitations are explored as well as the challenges facing the development of these nanostructures toward real‐world applications.

     

Alcohol Selective Optical Sensor Based on Porous Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Polymer Networks

A responsive hydrogen-bonded cholesteric liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) film with controlled porosity was fabricated as an optical sensor to distinguish between methanol and ethanol in alcohol solutions. To facilitate responding the alcohols, porosity was generated by removing the nonreactive liquid crystal agent, and the hydrogen bridges of CLCP were broken. The sensitivities of CLCPs to ethanol and methanol were obtained by monitoring the wavelength shifts of the transmission spectrum at different alcohol concentrations and ratios of methanol/ethanol. Changes in the central wavelength of the CLCP network transmission spectrum allowed the methanol–ethanol ratio to be discriminated. A linear relationship between wavelength shift of CLCP networks and alcohol concentration was obtained experimentally, and the sensor characteristics were explored. The sensitivities of the CLCPs were 1.35 and 0.18 nm/% to ethanol and methanol, respectively. The sensing sensitivity of cholesteric networks to alcohol molecules increased as the methanol–ethanol ratio declined. Therefore, CLCP could act as a stimuli-responsive material to distinguish the concentrations of acetone and ethanol in mixed solutions. Furthermore, the impact of UV intensity for curing a CLC mixture on the sensing sensitivity to the different alcohol concentrations was also studied. The higher UV intensity could enhance the sensitivity to alcohol molecules and distinguishing ability between methanol and ethanol.     

Janus超支化超分子聚合物的构筑及电化学响应性自组装行为研究

本工作报道了第一例具有电化学氧化还原刺激响应性的Janus超支化超分子聚合物,研究了其自组装及响应性解组装的行为.通过阴离子开环聚合和阳离子开环聚合的方法,分别合成了以β-环糊精为中心的亲水超支化聚缩水甘油醚CD-g-HPG和末端为二茂铁的疏水超支化聚(3-乙基-3-羟甲基环氧丁烷)Fc-g-HBPO.两者通过Fc/CD之间的主客体包结络合作用,构筑了两亲性Janus超支化超分子聚合物HBPO-b-HPG.该聚合物在水中可以自组装形成囊泡.通过动态光散射(DLS)跟踪、2D-NOESY和循环伏安曲线表征了CD-g-HPG和Fc-g-HBPO之间的主客体包结络合作用,通过扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)表征了囊泡结构.最后,研究了囊泡在电化学刺激下的解组装行为,同时也验证了囊泡在加热、加入主客体竞争分子和化学氧化下的稳定性.     

Responsive Mesoporous Photonic Cellulose Films by Supramolecular Cotemplating

Cellulose‐based materials have been and continue to be exceptionally important for humankind. Considering the bioavailability and societal relevance of cellulose, turning this renewable resource into an active material is a vital step towards sustainability. Herein we report a new form of cellulose‐derived material that combines tunable photonic properties with a unique mesoporous structure resulting from a new supramolecular cotemplating method. A composite of cellulose nanocrystals and a urea–formaldehyde resin organizes into a chiral nematic assembly, which yields a chiral nematic mesoporous continuum of desulfated cellulose nanocrystals after alkaline treatment. The mesoporous photonic cellulose (MPC) films undergo rapid and reversible changes in color upon swelling, and can be used for pressure sensing. These new active mesoporous cellulosic materials have potential applications in biosensing, optics, functional membranes, chiral separation, and tissue engineering.