Self-Assembly Approach toward Magnetic Silica-Type Nanoparticles of Different Shapes from Reverse Block Copolymer Mesophases

Magnetic Nanozyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Ultrasensitive Influenza A Virus Detection

Rapid and sensitive detection of influenza virus is of soaring importance to prevent further spread of infections and adequate clinical treatment. Herein, an ultrasensitive colorimetric assay called magnetic nano(e)zyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MagLISA) is suggested, in which silica-shelled magnetic nanobeads (MagNBs) and gold nanoparticles are combined to monitor influenza A virus up to femtogram per milliliter concentration. Two essential strategies for ultrasensitive sensing are designed, i.e., facile target separation by MagNBs and signal amplification by the enzymelike activity of gold nanozymes (AuNZs). The enzymelike activity was experimentally and computationally evaluated, where the catalyticity of AuNZ was tremendously stronger than that of normal biological enzymes. In the spiked test, a straightforward linearity was presented in the range of 5.0 × 10^-15-5.0 × 10^-6g·mL^-1 in detecting the influenza virus A (New Caledonia/20/1999) (H1N1). The detection limit is up to 5.0 × 10^-12 g·mL^-1 only by human eyes, as well as up to 44.2 × 10^-15 g·mL^-1 by a microplate reader, which is the lowest record to monitor influenza virus using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based technology as far as we know. Clinically isolated human serum samples were successfully observed at the detection limit of 2.6 PFU·mL^-1. This novel MagLISA demonstrates, therefore, a robust sensing platform possessing the advances of fathomable sample separation, enrichment, ultrasensitive readout, and anti-interference ability may reduce the spread of influenza virus and provide immediate clinical treatment.

Synthesis of magnetic microporous organic nanotube networks for adsorption application

Magnetic microporous organic nanotube networks (Fe₃O₄-MONNs) are successfully synthesized by an in situ hyper-cross-linking reaction between magnetic nanoparticles and core–shell bottlebrush copolymers.

Hairy Core-Shell Polymer Nano-objects from Self-Assembled Block Copolymer Structures

Fabrication of core-shell polymer nano-objects with well-defined shape and hairy shell has been a subject of immense interest in polymer chemistry for more than two decades now. Different approaches such as those involving synthesis (grafting approaches) and block copolymer self-assembly (solution as well as bulk) have been used for the preparation of such nano-objects. Of these approaches that involving bulk self-assembled structures of block copolymers have been of special interest because of the simplicity and range of shape and structures possible. The present review focuses on the advances which have been made in this direction using diblock and triblock self-assembled structures. It will be shown that this approach allows to fabricate hairy nano-objects of not only simple shapes such as spheres, rods, and sheets but also those with more complex shape and morphology such as multicompartment micelles, which are not possible to obtain with synthetic or solution self-assembly approaches. Furthermore, interesting structures such as Janus nano-objects could also be fabricated using this approach. The review further highlights the use of such nano-objects for templating applications.

Preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene/poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) tri-layer core–shell nanoparticles and their postpolymerization modification via catalytic latex hydrogenation

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene/poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) tri-layer core–shell elastomeric nanoparticles were synthesized using a facile and robust one-pot semibatch emulsion polymerization technique which allows for scale-up.

Shaping functional nano-objects by 3D confined supramolecular assembly

Nano-objects are generated through 3D confined supramolecular assembly, followed by a sequential disintegration by rupturing the hydrogen bonding. The shape of the nano-objects is tunable, ranging from nano-disc, nano-cup, to nano-toroid. The nano-objects are pH-responsive. Functional materials for example inorganic or metal nanoparticles are easily complexed onto the external surface, to extend both composition and microstructure of the nano-objects.

Polymeric Surfactants: Novel Agents with Exceptional Properties

This article presents recent progress in the field of polymeric surfactants made of permanently amphiphilic block copolymers or of stimulus-sensitive ones. We highlight key points in the design of amphiphilic macromolecules, to yield polymer surfactants with tailor-made properties, as well as recently developed and still challenging application fields for this new class of surfactants. The efficiency boosting of amphiphilic block copolymers as co-surfactants in microemulsions is discussed, as are surface modification by polymer surfactants, and stabilization of dispersions. Moreover, the use of block copolymers in nanosciences is presented, for instance as a tool for nanomaterial fabrication, or for biomedical and cosmetic applications in bio-nanotechnology. Finally, self-assembly and applications of some newly developed “exotic” amphiphilic block copolymer structures as new surface-active materials will be highlighted.

Three-Dimensional Periodically Ordered Nanohetero Metallic Materials from Self-Assembled Block Copolymer Composites

We report a synthetic route to inorganic nanoheterostructures with tunable size and morphology via self-assembled block copolymer mesophase templates. Two Fe precursors, tricarbonyl(cyclooctatetraene) iron and acetylacetonate iron(III), and one Pt precursor, platinum dimethylcyclooctadiene, were selectively introduced into separate polymer blocks of a block copolymer, polystyrene-b-poly-4-vinylpyridine, and then the block copolymer templates were removed by pyrolysis. Self-assembled inorganic nanoheterostructures (spheres, hexagonal cylinders, and layers of hard magnetic phase FePt in a matrix of soft magnetic phase α-Fe) were produced. The morphology and domain size of the nanoheterostructures could be tailored by controlling the molecular weight and relative block lengths of the block copolymers. The controlled size and morphology of the inorganic nanoheterostructures demonstrate the method's utility for producing highly functional materials.

Magnetic nanocomposites with mesoporous structures: synthesis and applications

Magnetic nanocomposites with well-defined mesoporous structures, shapes, and tailored properties are of immense scientific and technological interest. This review article is devoted to the progress in the synthesis and applications of magnetic mesoporous materials. The first part briefly reviews various general methods developed for producing magnetic nanoparticles (NPs). The second presents and categorizes the synthesis of magnetic nanocomposites with mesoporous structures. These nanocomposites are broadly categorized into four types: monodisperse magnetic nanocrystals embedded in mesoporous nanospheres, microspheres encapsulating magnetic cores into perpendicularly aligned mesoporous shells, ordered mesoporous materials loaded with magnetic NPs inside the porous channels or cages, and rattle-type magnetic nanocomposites. The third section reviews the potential applications of the magnetic nanocomposites with mesoporous structures in the areas of heath care, catalysis, and environmental separation. The final section offers a summary and future perspectives on the state-of-the art in this area.

A magnetic, luminescent and mesoporous core-shell structured composite material as drug carrier

In this paper, hydrothermal synthesized Fe3O4 microspheres have been encapsulated with nonporous silica and a further layer of ordered mesoporous silica through a simple sol-gel process. The surface of the outer silica shell was further functionalized by the deposition of YVO4:Eu3+ phosphors, realizing a sandwich structured material with mesoporous, magnetic and luminescent properties. The multifunctional system was used as drug carrier to investigate the storage and release properties using ibuprofen (IBU) as model drug by the surface modification. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N2 adsorption/desorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) were used to characterized the samples. The results reveal that the material shows typical ordered mesoporous characteristics, and have monodisperse spherical morphology with smooth surface and narrow size distribution. Additionally, the multifunctional system shows the characteristic emission of Eu3+ (5D0-7F(1-4)) even after the loading of drug molecules. Magnetism measurement reveals the superparamagnetic feature of the samples. Drug release test indicates that the multifunctional system shows drug sustained properties. Moreover, the emission intensities of Eu3+ in the drug carrier system increase with the released amount of drug, thus making the drug release be easily tracked and monitored by the change of the luminescence intensity.

The fabrication of polycrystalline silver nanowires via self-assembled nanotubes at controlled temperature

We report a novel method for the fabrication of silver nanowires under controlled conditions. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using a surfactant of octanoic acid via a reverse micelle technique. Hollow nanotubes were prepared under various controlled conditions through self-assembly of surfactant clusters of reversed micelles containing silver nanoparticles. These organized nanotubes were used as a structure-directing template for the preparation of silver nanowires. This is a bottom-up technique for the fabrication of silver nanowires. Self-assembled nanotube construction and the cross section of the nanotubes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. From the results, reasonable schematic representations of the formation of self-assembled nanoparticles and nanowires were proposed. Further sintering treatment at 500 degrees C burned away the organic compounds and left silver nanowires. The construction of the nanowires was confirmed using SEM, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA). This paper demonstrates that silver nanowires can be fabricated via self-assembled nanoparticles at a controlled low temperature.

Synthesis and characterization of magnetically active carbon nanofiber/iron oxide composites with hierarchical pore structures

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solution containing the iron oxide precursor iron (III) acetylacetonate (AAI) was electrospun and thermally treated to produce electrically conducting, magnetic carbon nanofiber mats with hierarchical pore structures. The morphology and material properties of the resulting multifunctional nanofiber mats including the surface area and the electric and magnetic properties were examined using various characterization techniques. Scanning electron microscopy images show that uniform fibers were produced with a fiber diameter of ∼600 nm, and this uniform fiber morphology is maintained after graphitization with a fiber diameter of ∼330 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman studies reveal that both graphite and Fe(3)O(4) crystals are formed after thermal treatment, and graphitization can be enhanced by the presence of iron. A combination of XRD and transmission electron microscopy experiments reveals the formation of pores with graphitic nanoparticles in the walls as well as the formation of magnetite nanoparticles distributed throughout the fibers. Physisorption experiments show that the multifunctional fiber mats exhibit a high surface area (200-400 m(2) g(-1)) and their pore size is dependent on the amount of iron added and graphitization conditions. Finally, we have demonstrated that the fibers are electrically conducting as well as magnetically active.

Surfactant templating effects on the encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles within silica microspheres

Hollow silica microspheres encapsulating ferromagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a surfactant-aided aerosol process and subsequent treatment. The cationic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) played an essential role in directing the structure of the composite. Translation from mesoporous silica particles to hollow particles was a consequence of increased loading of ferric species in the precursor solution and the competitive partitioning of CTAB between silicate and ferric colloids. The hypothesis was that CTAB preferentially adsorbed onto more positively charged ferric colloids under acidic conditions. At a critical Fe/Si ratio, most of the CTAB was adsorbed onto ferric colloids and coagulated the colloids to form larger clusters. During the aerosol process, a silica shell was first formed due to the preferred silicate condensation on the gas-liquid interface of the aerosol droplet. Subsequent drying concentrated the ferric clusters inside the silica shell and resulted in a silica shell/ferric core particle. Thermal treatment of the core shell particle led to encapsulation of a single iron oxide nanoparticle inside each silica hollow microsphere.

Controlled arrangement of nanoparticle arrays in block-copolymer domains

This Review describes recent results on the precise spatial distribution control of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles into domains of microphase-separated block copolymers. Specific focus is directed towards selective incorporation into a specific microphase of a block copolymer. Details on theoretical aspects concerning nanoparticle incorporation as well as practical examples are given. Furthermore, examples on applications and technological aspects of the resulting nanoparticle/polymer nanocomposites are provided.

Formation of Molecular Bundles from Self-Assembly of Symmetrical Poly(oxyalkylene)−Diamido Acids

Sodium salts of poly(oxypropylene)-trimellitic amido acid (POP-amido acid), prepared from the reaction of POP-diamines and trimellitic anhydride, were found to self-assemble into orderly molecular bundles. The POP-amido acid has a symmetrical structure consisting of a hydrophobic POP middle block (2000 g/mol) and four symmetrical carboxyl end groups. By dissolving in water and evaporating on a polyether sulfone film, the POP-amido acid molecules self-assembled into a unique array with average dimensions of 7-13 nm in width, 2-5 nm in height, and 20-50 nm in length, observed by atomic force microscope. Varied morphologies were also observed when varying the pH, solvents, evaporating rate, concentration, and substrate surface. Unlike the common surfactants of single head-to-tail structure and the naturally occurring phospholipids of one head and two tails, the synthesized POP derivative is a symmetrical structure of four hydrophilic heads and one long hydrophobic block. Through the complementary noncovalent bonding forces, the molecules tend to align into molecular bundles or loops as the primary structure. The formation of different morphologies is controlled by the intermolecular forces including hydrogen bonding, aromatic pi-pi stacking, ionic charge, and hydrophobic interaction, in a concerted manner.