Self-assembly properties of bile acid derivatives of l-cysteine,l-valine and l-serine alkyl esters

Comprehensive self-assembly studies for nine bile acid amides of amino acid esters are reported. The number of the hydroxyl groups attached to the steroidal skeleton and the character of the amino acid ester moiety were used as variables when examining the self-assembly properties of the compounds. Two of the compounds were shown to undergo self-assembly leading to organogelation. In addition, preliminary self-assembly studies in aqueous mixtures of polar organic solvents were conducted. Microscopic methods (optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy) were utilised in order to gain a deeper insight into the self-assembled structures. Furthermore, single-crystal X-ray structures for three of the compounds were solved.     

Theoretical study on self-assembly in organic materials

Theoretical work related to the self-assembly of organic materials was dealt with, and the various mechanisms leading to self-assembly, such as transition metal mediated self-assembly, constraint induced self-assembly, covalent bond based self-assembly and van der Waals interaction driven self-assembly, etc., were discussed. The formation of ordered structures could be attributed to the competition between short range attractive forces and long-range repulsion, which was arising from dipole interaction or may result from a different mechanism based on a purely repulsive isotropic short-range pair potential with two characteristic length scales. Such mechanism could be exploited in the study of self-assembly process. First principles SAPT(DFT) interaction energy calculations, combined with the Williams-Stone-Misquitta method, offer the ability to improve the molecular dynamics (MD) accuracy which could in turn be used in the prediction of crystal structures and self-assembly tendency. The combination of experimental and theoretical studies could open new breakthroughs over the design, synthesis, and characterization of self-assembled materials.     

自组装方法与三维光子晶体制作

光子晶体,特别是三维光子晶体,可能成为信息处理和通信等领域的新型功能材料.光子晶体的制作方法可分为"自上而下"的物理方法和"自下而上"的化学自组装方法.化学自组装方法是制作三维光子晶体最为经济有效的方法.本文在阐述自组装方法的种类、一般过程、优点和不足等内容的基础上,分别分析和总结了带有各种功能缺陷的三维光子晶体的制作,这些缺陷主要包括线缺陷、面缺陷和点缺陷.从研究中可以看出,化学自组装方法通常需要结合其他方法才能实现缺陷的嵌入.近些年,三维光子晶体制作在材料选取、结构设计和方法改进等方面都有一些最新进展,本文对此进行了较为详尽的评述,并对我们课题组的研究进行了总结.最后对光子晶体的研究和制作方向进行了展望.     

Self-assembly of Amphiphilic Alternating Copolymers

Polymer self-assembly has been a hot research topic for several decades. Different types of polymers with various architectures, like block copolymers, brush polymers, hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers, etc., are currently being investigated. Alternating copolymers (ACPs) are regular copolymers with an alternating monomeric unit structure in the polymer backbones. However, despite the great progress in the synthesis of ACPs, their self-assembly is still in an infant stage. Very recently, our group reported a new type of amphiphilic ACPs through click copolymerization and obtained spheres, vesicles, nanotubes, and even hierarchical sea urchin-like aggregates through the self-assembly process. In addition, we have found some intriguing features in the self-assembly of amphiphilic ACPs when compared with other copolymers, including their facile syntheses, readily functionalization, novel self-assembly structures, new folding-chain mechanisms, and uniform but ultrathin feature length. In this Concept article, we present the self-assembly of amphiphilic ACPs together with their unique features by reviewing our latest results and related studies. Moreover, the future perspective on the self-assembly of amphiphilic ACPs is also proposed. Our aim is to capture the attention and interest of chemists in this new area of polymerization.     

A master-equation approach to simulate kinetic traps during directed self-assembly

Robust directed self-assembly of non-periodic nanoscale structures is a key process that would enable various technological breakthroughs. The dynamic evolution of directed self-assemblies towards structures with desired geometries is governed by the rugged potential energy surface of nanoscale systems, potentially leading the system to kinetic traps. To study such phenomena and to set the framework for the directed self-assembly of nanoparticles towards structures with desired geometries, the development of a dynamic model involving a master equation to simulate the directed self-assembly process is presented. The model describes the probability of each possible configuration of a fixed number of nanoparticles on a domain, including parametric sensitivities that can be used for optimization, as a function of time during self-assembly. An algorithm is presented that solves large-scale instances of the model with linear computational complexity. Case studies illustrate the influence of several degrees of freedom on directed self-assembly. A design approach that systematically decomposes the ergodicity of the system to direct self-assembly of a targeted configuration with high probability is illustrated. The prospects for extending such an approach to larger systems using coarse graining techniques are also discussed.     

[60]富勒烯的超分子自组装研究进展

超分子自组装是发展超分子电子学的重要途径。随着纳米科学和技术的迅速发展,自组装技术已成功地应用于纳米尺度物质的维数、形貌和功能等的调控。作为构筑分子水平上一维、二维、三维有序功能结构和高有序分子聚集态结构的关键技术,超分子自组装技术有力地推动了具有优良光、电、磁性能的分子材料和纳米功能材料更深层次的研究。本文综述了超分子自组装在富勒烯科学领域的基础研究和应用,特别是对有利于自组织和自组装功能的富勒烯基衍生物的设计与合成、超分子作用力引导的具有特定结构的分子体系的可控自组装、以及富勒烯分子聚集态结构材料的光物理过程、超分子中电子转移和能量转移现象进行了描述;并对卟啉、四硫富瓦烯、碗烯和杯芳烃等一系列富π电子化合物和大环主体分子等包含[60]富勒烯的主体化合物的超分子作用和超分自组装体以及通过氢键、π-π作用、静电力和范德华力和金属配位作用形成的[60]富勒烯超分子自组装体进行了总结,对未来发展进行了展望。     

Facile synthesis of ternary AgInS2 nanowires and their self-assembly of fingerprint-like nanostructures

Nanowires (NWs) and self-assemble nanostructures made of chalcogenide semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are of great interests to the fundamental studies and practical applications. In this study, we reported a seeded-mediated growth of AgInS₂ NWs and their intriguing self-assembly nanostructures with fingerprint-like shape. The key to the formation and self-assembly of AgInS₂ NWs was the presence of In-S species that was a type of molecular metal chalcogenide complexes, serving as specific inorganic ligands for the growth of NWs and cross-linker molecules for the self-assembly of fingerprint-like nanostructures. Systematic studies were carried out to investigate the reaction factors, including the thermodynamics, amount and type of In precursors, and 1-dodecanethiol usage, to the success of the desired products.     

Directed assembly of particles using directional DNA interactions

The use of synthetic DNA to direct the spontaneous self-assembly of synthetic particles into surprisingly complex structures is a rapidly maturing field. Notable recent breakthroughs involve the use of DNA to realize well-controlled interactions between particles that are both chemically specific and directional in nature, the use of hierarchical self-assembly approaches, as well as computational studies to map out the broad palette of accessible structures and assemblies.     

Self-assembly of polypeptide-based copolymers into diverse aggregates

Recently, increasing attention has been given to the self-assembly behavior of polypeptide-based copolymers. Polypeptides can serve as either shell-forming or core-forming blocks in the formation of various aggregates. The solubility and rigidity of polypeptide blocks have been found to have a profound effect on the self-assembly behavior of polypeptide-based copolymers. Polypeptide graft copolymers combine the advantages of a grafting strategy and the characteristics of polypeptide chains and their self-assembly behavior can be easily adjusted by choosing different polymer chains and copolymer architectures. Fabricating hierarchical structures is one of the attractive topics of self-assembly research of polypeptide copolymers. These hierarchical structures are promising for use in preparing functional materials and, thus, attract increasing attention. Computer simulations have emerged as powerful tools to investigate the self-assembly behavior of polymers, such as polypeptides. These simulations not only support the experimental results, but also provide information that cannot be directly obtained from experiments. In this feature article, recent advances in both experimental and simulation studies for the self-assembly behavior of polypeptide-based copolymers are reviewed.     

Spontaneous self-assembly of metal-organic cationic nanocages to form monodisperse hollow vesicles in dilute solutions

In this communication we report the unprecedented spontaneous self-assembly of cationic nanoporous metal-organic coordination cages (nanocages) into giant hollow vesicle-like structures in polar solvents. Such highly soluble nanocages (macrocations) have separated hydrophobic regions. However, their assembly is not due to hydrophobic interactions but the counterion-mediated attractions, very similar to the unique self-assembly of polyoxometalate macroanions into single-layer, spherical blackberry structures, as characterized by laser light scattering and TEM studies. This is the first study on the solution behavior of metal-organic nanocages and also the first report on the self-assembly of soluble macrocations. Therefore, the blackberry structure is likely to be a universal type of self-assembly for soluble macroions. In addition, the self-assembled nanocages can provide blackberry structures a wide range of organic functionalities that are impossible to reach with purely inorganic systems, which may open the door to many types of applications.     

Atomistic simulations of 2D bicomponent self-assembly: from molecular recognition to self-healing

Supramolecular two-dimensional engineering epitomizes the design of complex molecular architectures through recognition events in multicomponent self-assembly. Despite being the subject of in-depth experimental studies, such articulated phenomena have not been yet elucidated in time and space with atomic precision. Here we use atomistic molecular dynamics to simulate the recognition of complementary hydrogen-bonding modules forming 2D porous networks on graphite. We describe the transition path from the melt to the crystalline hexagonal phase and show that self-assembly proceeds through a series of intermediate states featuring a plethora of polygonal types. Finally, we design a novel bicomponent system possessing kinetically improved self-healing ability in silico, thus demonstrating that a priori engineering of 2D self-assembly is possible.     

Layer-by-layer nanoassembly of polyelectrolytes using formamide as the working medium

Formamide, in its pure state, has been used as a working solvent for layer-by-layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte self-assembly. Polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) and polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) polyelectrolyte films were deposited onto planar substrates and colloidal particles. Film deposition was confirmed using quartz crystal microbalance and zeta potential measurements. Formamide was used as an alternative to the water-based working solvents commonly used for LbL self-assembly. Few LbL self-assembly studies using nonaqueous solvents have been reported. Most studies performed with nonaqueous solvents have required the addition of small volumes of water to dissolve the polyelectrolytes. Conversely, the high dielectric constant of pure formamide led to the dissolution and transport of PSS and PAH. Using formamide, it is possible to deposit nanometer thick polyelectrolyte films onto water-sensitive surfaces. Formamide can be thus be used for encapsulating water sensitive hydrogen storage materials within polyelectrolyte films.     

Probing the structure of the crystalline core of field-aligned, monodisperse, cylindrical polyisoprene-block-polyferrocenylsilane micelles in solution using synchrotron small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering

The self-assembly of block copolymers in selective solvents represents a powerful approach to functional core-shell nanoparticles. Crystallization of the core can play a critical role in directing self-assembly toward desirable, nonspherical morphologies with low mean interfacial curvature. Moreover, epitaxial growth processes have been implicated in recent advances that permit access to monodisperse cylinders, cylindrical block comicelles with segmented cores and/or coronas, and complex hierarchical architectures. However, how the core-forming block crystallizes in an inherently curved nanoscopic environment has not been resolved. Herein we report the results of synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) studies of well-defined, monodisperse crystalline-coil polyisoprene-block-polyferrocenylsilane cylindrical micelles aligned in an electric field. WAXS studies of the aligned cylinders have provided key structural information on the nature of the PFS micelle core together with insight into the role of polymer crystallinity in the self-assembly of these and potentially related crystalline-coil block copolymers.     

共聚物的自组装研究进展

自组装是分子间通过非共价键相互作用自发组合形成的一类结构明确、稳定,同时具有某种特定功能或性能的分子聚集体或超分子结构的现象。利用共聚物自组装技术可以制备高度有序介观形貌的功能材料,这些材料有望在生物医学、药物释放、智能材料等领域得到广泛的应用。研究表明,不同结构的共聚物的自组装行为和功能一般不同,同时环境条件,如温度、pH值等也对共聚物自组装行为有很大影响。本文从共聚物结构及外部环境条件两个方面综述了近几年来共聚物的自组装行为规律,并分析了相关自组装结构应用的研究进展。     

Self-assembly of peptide-amphiphile nanofibers: the roles of hydrogen bonding and amphiphilic packing

The role of hydrogen bonding and amphiphilic packing in the self-assembly of peptide-amphiphiles (PAs) was investigated using a series of 26 PA derivatives, including 19 N-methylated variants and 7 alanine mutants. These were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy, a variety of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, rheology, and vitreous ice cryo-transmission electron microscopy. From these studies, we have been able to determine which amino acids are critical for the self-assembly of PAs into nanofibers, why the nanofiber is favored over other possible nanostructures, the orientation of hydrogen bonding with respect to the nanofiber axis, and the constraints placed upon the portion of the peptide most intimately associated with the biological environment. Furthermore, by selectively eliminating key hydrogen bonds, we are able to completely change the nanostructure resulting from self-assembly in addition to modifying the macroscopic mechanical properties associated with the assembled gel. This study helps to clarify the mechanism of self-assembly for peptide amphiphiles and will thereby help in the design of future generations of PAs.     

Clusters of anisotropic colloidal particles: From colloidal molecules to supracolloidal structures

Colloidal clusters have received considerable attention in recent years in the context of the fabrication of “colloidal molecules”, mimicking the symmetry of molecular structures, as well as for the self-assembly of finite supracolloidal structures, especially from anisotropic colloidal particles. Here we review recent studies on clusters of anisotropic colloidal particles, highlighting certain classes of supracolloidal structures that have emerged as recurrent themes in these studies. We emphasize the interplay of colloidal interactions, often arising from the presence of one or more anisotropy attributes, which drives the self-assembly into finite supracolloidal structures.     

Orderly Self-Assembly of Organic Fluorophores for Sensing and Imaging

Fluorescence imaging utilizing traditional organic fluorophores is extensively applied in both cellular and in vivo studies. However, it faces significant obstacles, such as low signal-to-background ratio (SBR) and spurious positive/negative signals, primarily due to the facile diffusion of these fluorophores. To cope with this challenge, orderly self-assembled functionalized organic fluorophores have gained significant attention in the past decades. These fluorophores can create nanoaggregates via a well-ordered self-assembly process, thus prolonging their residency time within cells and in vivo settings. The development of self-assembled-based fluorophores is an emerging field, and as such, in this review, we present a summary of the progress and challenges of self-assembly fluorophores, focusing on their development history, self-assembly mechanisms, and biomedical applications. We hope that the insights provided herein will assist scientists in further developing functionalized organic fluorophores for in situ imaging, sensing, and therapy.     

Exploring the self-assembly of glycopeptides using a diphenylalanine scaffold

Diphenylalanine, a key building block for organic nanotechnology, forms discrete, rigid and hollow nanotubes that are assembled spontaneously upon their dilution from organic phase into aqueous solution. Here we report the efficient preparation of several S-linked glycosylated diphenylalanine analogues bearing different monosaccharide, di-saccharide and sialic acid residues. The self-assembly studies revealed that these glycopeptides adopted various structures and glycosylation could be a tool to manipulate the self-assembly process. Moreover, the solubility of these analogues was found to be much greater than diphenylalanine, which could open new applications based on these nanostructures.     

Cyclodextrin-based inclusion complexation bridging supramolecular chemistry and macromolecular self-assembly

Research into macromolecular self-assembly has been progressively developing since the 1970s but with a little affect from the achievements of supramolecular chemistry. In recent years, this situation has changed as more and more factors and concepts in supramolecular chemistry have been introduced into studies of the self-assembly of polymers. In this respect, inclusion complexation based on cyclodextrins plays a remarkable role. In this tutorial review, we address how inclusion complexation has been employed and used to promote the recent developments in macromolecular self-assembly. These include the amphiphilicity adjustment of macromolecules, non-covalent linkages for forming pseudo block copolymers and micelles, surface modification and functionalization of polymeric micelles and vesicles, and the combination of synthetic polymeric assemblies with biological moieties. Furthermore, the realization of the reversible stimuli-responsiveness of polymeric assemblies and materials, particularly hydrogels by means of controllable inclusion complexation is discussed as well.     

Self-assembly of viral particles

Viruses, as typical bionanoparticles from nature, possess many superb properties, such as exquisite symmetry, uniformity of size and shape, well-characterized surface chemistry that governs the potential interparticle interactions. These features make viral particles ideal building blocks for self-assembly studies and novel materials development. This review outlines some of the recent research activities in the area of controlled self-assembly of viruses and its potential use as materials. One particular application of the assembled viruses, especially for biomaterials, is also briefly discussed.