1
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Zhang J, Xiao T, Liu Z, Yin Y, Li C, Xu F, Mai Y. Area-Controllable Nanoplatelets from Rapid Photocontrolled Living Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly of an Alternating Copolymer. J Am Chem Soc 2025. [PMID: 40415387 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c04537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2025]
Abstract
Photocontrolled living self-assembly has attracted considerable interest due to its noninvasive, remote control, and real-time features; however, it has remained much less explored compared to other stimuli-responsive self-assembly systems. Here, a novel photocontrolled living crystallization-driven self-assembly (P-CDSA) system was constructed by employing an alternating copolymer, poly((hexylthienyl stiff-stilbene)-alt-poly(ethylene glycol)) containing photosensitive stiff-stilbene derivative, as the precursor. The photoinduced trans-to-cis isomerization of the stiff-stilbene derivative segments could occur quickly upon 365 nm light irradiation, leading to a rapid P-CDSA process producing size-controllable nanoplatelets within 2 min at room temperature. Taking advantage of the repetitive characteristic of alternating copolymers, the nanoplatelet morphology was independent of the molecular weight (MW) and its distribution (Đ) of the copolymer. The areas of the nanoplatelets were precisely controlled by adjusting the unimer-to-seed mass ratio, following a linear relationship. Additionally, the lengths of the major and minor axes followed a sublinear growth trend, enabling tailored nanoplatelet dimensions. The area could also be programmed by sequential light on/off switching, showing a linear dependence on light irradiation time. This study demonstrates the first example of photocontrolled two-dimensional CDSA and opens a new avenue for controlling over the area of 2D architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tianyu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhilin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yucheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Fugui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yiyong Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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2
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Dale SD, Elliott MR, Brandolese A, Dove AP, O'Reilly RK. Precise Epitaxial 1D and 2D Growth of Polyester-Based Materials in n-Alkanes. Chemistry 2025:e202501290. [PMID: 40359484 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202501290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2025] [Revised: 05/12/2025] [Accepted: 05/13/2025] [Indexed: 05/15/2025]
Abstract
Crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) has been extensively studied for the formation of bespoke nanoparticles and provides a unique way to control the unidirectional growth of block copolymers (BCPs). Currently, oil-soluble nanoparticles represent an under-researched area in the literature, stemming from the difficulty in synthesizing organic nanoparticles with higher-order morphologies using traditional techniques. These oil-soluble nanoparticles have uses as components in products as diverse as electronics and engine oils, with current research determining a strong relationship between morphology and performance, with anisotropic nanoparticles outperforming spherical counterparts. Here, we report on the facile self-assembly of polyester-based BCPs in n-octane to achieve low-dispersity 1D and 2D nanoparticles. This report focuses on using tunable, oil-soluble polymers and aims to understand their self-assembly in n-octane through the variation of self-assembly conditions and unimer solubility to form nanoparticles of a controlled and variable size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D Dale
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Megan R Elliott
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Arianna Brandolese
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Andrew P Dove
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rachel K O'Reilly
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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3
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Ren Y, Liao C, Che Y, Ji H, Gong Y, Zang L, Che Y, Zhao J. Measurement of Anisotropic Exciton Transport Lengths in Organic Crystals Using Photoetching. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2025:e2503430. [PMID: 40289767 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202503430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2025] [Revised: 04/11/2025] [Indexed: 04/30/2025]
Abstract
Measuring anisotropic exciton transport in organic crystals goes beyond just assessing one-dimensional (1D) transport. It offers a deeper understanding of how molecular packing and interactions affect exciton transport in different dimensions. However, achieving nanoscale precision in measuring anisotropic exciton transport lengths and linking them to specific crystalline directions remains a formidable challenge. Here the development of a photoetching method is reported to visualize the exciton transport distances as gaps within two-dimensional (2D) crystals, which in turn allows for the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to precisely measure the sizes. The photoetching method combined with hetero-seeded self-assembly enables the use of conventional fluorescence spectrometry for precise determination of anisotropic exciton transport lengths in 2D structures at the nanoscale. Relying on this novel method, It is unexpectedly found that increasing intermolecular interactions in one crystal direction not only improves exciton transport in that dimension but also enhances exciton transport in the other dimension. These findings provide valuable insights for engineering organic materials that require efficient exciton transport across extended distances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Ren
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chenglong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanxue Che
- HT-NOVA Co., Ltd, Zhuyuan Road, Shunyi District, Beijing, 101312, China
| | - Hongwei Ji
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yanjun Gong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Ling Zang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Yanke Che
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jincai Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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4
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Floyd TG, Gurnani P, Rho JY. Characterisation of polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery. NANOSCALE 2025; 17:7738-7752. [PMID: 40018862 DOI: 10.1039/d5nr00071h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2025]
Abstract
Polymeric nanoparticles represent an innovative approach to drug delivery, particularly for addressing complex diseases like cancer. Their nanoscale dimensions facilitate targeted cellular uptake and effective navigation of biological barriers. With a broad range of polymerisation and functionalisation techniques, these nanoparticles can enable precise drug release, enhanced stability, and improved bioavailability while minimising side effects. Compared to conventional carriers, polymeric nanoparticles offer superior stability and versatility. However, despite these beneficial attributes, challenges remain in understanding their dynamic behaviour and interactions within biological systems. This mini-review aims to highlight key characterisation methods for studying polymeric nanocarriers, explore recent advances, and examine current challenges that must be addressed to optimise their therapeutic potential and advance these promising targeted drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Floyd
- Advanced Drug Delivery, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, UK
| | - Pratik Gurnani
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Julia Y Rho
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK.
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5
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Guo Y, Xia T, Walter V, Xie Y, Rho JY, Xiao L, O'Reilly RK, Wallace MI. Real-time label-free imaging of living crystallization-driven self-assembly. Nat Commun 2025; 16:2672. [PMID: 40102380 PMCID: PMC11920093 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57776-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2025] [Indexed: 03/20/2025] Open
Abstract
Living crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) of semicrystalline block copolymers is a powerful method for the bottom-up construction of uniform polymer microstructures with complex hierarchies. Improving our ability to engineer such complex particles demands a better understanding of how to precisely control the self-assembly process. Here, we apply interferometric scattering (iSCAT) microscopy to observe the real-time growth of individual poly(ε-caprolactone)-based fibers and platelets. This label-free method enables us to map the role of key reaction parameters on platelet growth rate, size, and morphology. Furthermore, iSCAT provides a contrast mechanism for studying multi-annulus platelets formed via the sequential addition of different unimers, offering insights into the spatial distribution of polymer compositions within a single platelet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Guo
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tianlai Xia
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Vivien Walter
- Department of Engineering, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yujie Xie
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Julia Y Rho
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Laihui Xiao
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Mark I Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, London, UK.
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6
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Gao C, Sun H, Du J. Unusual Endotaxy Growth of Hexagonal Nanosheets by the Self-Assembly of a Homopolymer. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2025; 64:e202420079. [PMID: 39727146 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202420079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2024] [Revised: 12/11/2024] [Accepted: 12/26/2024] [Indexed: 12/28/2024]
Abstract
A classical crystallization usually grows epitaxially from a crystal nucleus. Presented in this study is an unusual endotaxy growth manner of a crystalline homopolymer to form hexagonal nanosheets. The amphiphilic homopolymer, poly(3-(4-(phenyldiazenyl)phenoxy)propyl methacrylate) (PAzoPMA), is first annealed in isopropanol to afford a hexagonal nut-like structure. Then, the PAzoPMA crystallizes from the inner wall to the center to form a thin bottom, which grows upwards along the bottom, leading to the formation of the evenly hexagonal nanosheets. The energy fluctuation by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation during self-assembly confirms the packing state of PAzoPMA chains in different solvents. In isopropanol, the total energy is the lowest, demonstrating the tight regular arrangement of polymer chains. In addition, the non-bonding interaction energy is also the lowest, leading to the favorable contact with solvent molecules and the formation of hexagonal nanosheets. Otherwise, nanowires and giant large compound micelles are formed in ethanol and n-butanol, respectively. Overall, an unusual endotaxy crystallization manner of an amphiphilic homopolymer is observed during the preparation of hexagonal nanosheets, which brings fresh insight for understanding the crystallization behavior of polymers and preparing functional soft nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, China
| | - Hui Sun
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Coal Utilization and Green Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, China
| | - Jianzhong Du
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Brain Functional Modulation, Clinical Research Center for Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200434, China
- Department of Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai, 201804, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai, 200237, China
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7
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Pan YN, Ye CC, Huang SL, Wang C, Han MY, Xu L. Precisely Prepared Hierarchical Micelles of Polyfluorene-block-Polythiophene-block-Poly(phenyl isocyanide) via Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2025; 64:e202418131. [PMID: 39467009 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202418131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2024] [Revised: 10/20/2024] [Accepted: 10/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/30/2024]
Abstract
The precise preparation of hierarchical micelles is a fundamental challenge in modern materials science and chemistry. Herein, poly(di-n-hexylfluorene)-block-poly(3-tetraethylene glycol thiophene) (poly(1m-b-2n)) diblock copolymers and polyfluorene-block-polythiophene-block-poly(phenyl isocyanide) triblock copolymers were synthesized using a one-pot process via the sequential addition of corresponding monomers using a Ni(II) complex as a single catalyst for living/controlled polymerization. The crystallization-driven self-assembly of amphiphilic conjugated poly(1m-b-2n) led to the formation of nanofibers with controlled lengths and narrow dispersity. The block copolymers exhibited white, yellow, and red emissions in different self-assembly states. By using uniform poly(1m-b-2n) nanofibers as seeds, introducing the polyfluorene-block-polythiophene-block-poly(phenyl isocyanide) triblock polymer as a unimer in the seed growth process, and adjusting the structure of the poly(phenyl isocyanide) block and the polarity of self-assembly solvent, A-B-A triblock micelles, multiarm branched micelles, and raft micelles were prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Pan
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Applications; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Huaibei Normal University Huaibei, Anhui, 235000, P. R. China
| | - Chen-Chen Ye
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Applications; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Huaibei Normal University Huaibei, Anhui, 235000, P. R. China
| | - Si-Lin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Applications; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Huaibei Normal University Huaibei, Anhui, 235000, P. R. China
| | - Chao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Applications; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Huaibei Normal University Huaibei, Anhui, 235000, P. R. China
| | - Man-Yi Han
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Applications; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Huaibei Normal University Huaibei, Anhui, 235000, P. R. China
| | - Lei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry and Applications; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Huaibei Normal University Huaibei, Anhui, 235000, P. R. China
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8
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Yu X, Fang Y, Luo Z, Guo X, Fu L, Fan Z, Zhao J, Xie H, Guo M, Cheng B. Precise Preparation of Size-Uniform Two-Dimensional Platelet Micelles Through Crystallization-Assisted Rapid Microphase Separation Using All-Bottlebrush-Type Block Copolymers with Crystalline Side Chains. J Am Chem Soc 2025; 147:2193-2205. [PMID: 39752277 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c16546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2025]
Abstract
Polymer nanoparticles with low curvature, especially two-dimensional (2D) soft materials, are rich in functions and outstanding properties and have received extensive attention. Crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) of linear semicrystalline block copolymers is currently a common method of constructing 2D platelets of uniform size. Although accompanied by high controllability, this CDSA method usually and inevitably requires a longer aging time and lower assembly concentration, limiting the large-scale preparation of nanoaggregates. In this study, a series of all-bottlebrush-type block copolymers, poly(octadecyl acrylate)-block-poly(oligoethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate)s are prepared by living polymerization. Driven by the synergistic crystallization of crystalline side chains and the rapid microphase separation of bottlebrush topology, these polymers can assemble into uniform 2D circular platelet micelles in a few minutes, without being affected by a high assembly concentration. In this process, epitaxial growth of the bottlebrush molecules proceeds with rigid cylindrical molecular conformation at the micelle crystallization sites and eventually provides a sandwich-type micelle according to a head-to-head stacking mode. This is explained as a "crystallization-assisted rapid microphase separation" mechanism. The micelle structures are affected by the assembly solvent and temperature, the size of which shows a linear dependence on the assembly temperature below the melting point of the crystalline block, which can be used to precisely control the morphology of these 2D platelets. This study establishes an efficient and rapid method to prepare 2D polymer nanosoft materials, which are promising candidates for further development, preparation, and application of various nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Yu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Fiber Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Yuanjian Fang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Zhiruo Luo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Xingjian Guo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Lulu Fu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Fan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Fiber Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Jin Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Fiber Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Hongxiang Xie
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Minjie Guo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Fiber Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
| | - Bowen Cheng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Fiber Manufacturing Technology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China
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9
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Huang F, Ma J, Nie J, Xu B, Huang X, Lu G, Winnik MA, Feng C. A Versatile Strategy toward Donor-Acceptor Nanofibers with Tunable Length/Composition and Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:25137-25150. [PMID: 39207218 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c08415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Living crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) has emerged as an efficient strategy to generate nanofibers of π-conjugated polymers (CPNFs) in a controlled fashion. However, reports of donor-acceptor (D-A) heterojunction CPNFs are extremely rare. The preparation of these materials remains a challenge due to the lack of rational design guidelines for the D-A π-conjugated units. Herein, we report a versatile CDSA strategy based upon carefully designed D-A-co-oligomers in which electron-deficient benzothiadiazole (BT) or dibenzo[b,d]thiophene 5,5-dioxide (FSO) units are attached to the two ends of an oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene) heptamer [BT-OPE7-BT, FSO-OPE7-FSO]. This arrangement with the electron-deficient groups at the two ends of the oligomer enhances the stacking interaction of the A-D-A π-conjugated structure. In contrast, D-A-D structures with a single BT in the middle of a string of OPE units disrupt the packing. We employed oligomers with a terminal alkyne to synthesize diblock copolymers BT-OPE7-BT-b-P2VP and BT-OPE7-BT-b-PNIPAM (P2VP = poly(2-vinylpyridine), PNIPAM = poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) and FSO-OPE7-FSO-b-P2VP and FSO-OPE7-FSO-b-PNIPAM. CDSA experiments with these copolymers in ethanol were able to generate CPNFs of controlled length by both self-seeding and seeded growth as well as block comicelles with precisely tunable length and composition. Furthermore, the D-A CPNFs with a BT-OPE7-BT-based core demonstrate photocatalytic activity for the photooxidation of sulfide to sulfoxide and benzylamine to N-benzylidenebenzylamine. Given the scope of the oligomer compositions examined and the range of structures formed, we believe that the living CDSA strategy with D-A-based co-oligomers opens future opportunities for the creation of D-A CPNFs with programmable architectures as well as diverse functionalities and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengfeng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Fluorine and Nitrogen Chemistry and Advanced Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Junyu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Fluorine and Nitrogen Chemistry and Advanced Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiucheng Nie
- Key Laboratory of Fluorine and Nitrogen Chemistry and Advanced Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Binbin Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Fluorine and Nitrogen Chemistry and Advanced Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Guolin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Fluorine and Nitrogen Chemistry and Advanced Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Mitchell A Winnik
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E2, Canada
| | - Chun Feng
- Key Laboratory of Fluorine and Nitrogen Chemistry and Advanced Materials, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 345 Lingling Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, People's Republic of China
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10
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Park S, Kang SY, Yang S, Choi TL. Independent Control of the Width and Length of Semiconducting 2D Nanorectangles via Accelerated Living Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:19369-19376. [PMID: 38965837 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Self-assembly of conjugated polymers offers a powerful method to prepare semiconducting two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets for optoelectronic applications. However, due to the typical biaxial growth behavior of the polymer self-assembly, independent control of the width and length of 2D sheets has been challenging. Herein, we present a greatly accelerated crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) system of polyacetylene-based conjugated polymer to produce 2D semiconducting nanorectangles with precisely controllable dimensions. In detail, rectangular 2D seeds with tunable widths of 0.2-1.3 μm were produced by changing the cosolvent% and grown in the length direction by uniaxial living CDSA up to 11.8 μm. The growth rate was effectively enhanced by tuning the cosolvent%, seed concentration, and temperature, achieving up to 27-fold increase. Additionally, systematic kinetic investigation yielded empirical rate equations, elucidating the relationship between growth rate constant, cosolvent%, seed concentration, and seed width. Finally, the living CDSA allowed us to prepare penta-block comicelles with tunable width, length, and height.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyee Park
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sung-Yun Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sanghee Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Tae-Lim Choi
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
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11
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Chakraborty C, Rajak A, Das A. Shape-tunable two-dimensional assemblies from chromophore-conjugated crystallizable poly(L-lactides) with chain-length-dependent photophysical properties. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:13019-13028. [PMID: 38894626 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01683a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
This work reports temperature-dependent shape-changeable two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures by crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) from a chromophore-conjugated poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) homopolymer (PTZ-P1) that contained a polar dye, phenothiazine (PTZ), at the chain-end of the crystallizable PLLA. The CDSA of PTZ-P1 in a polar solvent, isopropanol (iPrOH), by an uncontrolled heating-cooling process, majorly generates lozenge-shaped 2D platelets via chain-folding-mediated crystallization of the PLLA core, leading to the display of the phenothiazines on the 2D surface that confers colloidal stability and orange-emitting luminescent properties to the crystal lamellae. Isothermal crystallization at 60 °C causes a morphological change in PTZ-P1 platelets from lozenge to truncated-lozenge to perfect hexagon under different annealing times, while no shape change was noticed in the structurally similar PTZ-P2 polymer with a longer PLLA chain under similar conditions. This study unveils the complex link between the 2D platelet morphologies and degree of polymerization (DP) of PLLA and the corona-forming dye character. Further, the co-assembly potential of PTZ-P1 with hydrophobic pyrene-terminated PLLAs of varying chain lengths (PY-P1, PY-P2, and PY-P3) was examined, as these two dyes could form a Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) pair on the 2D surface. The impact of the length of the crystallizable PLLA on the photophysical properties of the surface-occupied chromophores revealed crucial insights into interchromophoric interactions on the platelet surface. A reduction in the propensity for π-stacking with increasing chain-folding in longer PLLAs is manifested in the chain-length-dependent FRET efficiencies and excimer emission lifetimes within the resultant monolayered 2D assemblies. The unconventional "butterfly-shaped" molecular architecture of the tested phenothiazine, combined with its varied functional features and polar character, adds a distinctive dimension to the underdeveloped field of CDSA of chromophore-conjugated poly(L-lactides), opening future avenues for the development of advanced nanostructured biodegradable 2D materials with programmable morphology and optical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chhandita Chakraborty
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), 2A and 2B Raja. S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India.
| | - Aritra Rajak
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), 2A and 2B Raja. S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India.
| | - Anindita Das
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), 2A and 2B Raja. S.C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700032, India.
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Liao C, Gong Y, Che Y, Ji H, Liu B, Zang L, Che Y, Zhao J. Concentric hollow multi-hexagonal platelets from a small molecule. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5668. [PMID: 38971832 PMCID: PMC11227555 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49995-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The creation of well-defined hollow two-dimensional structures from small organic molecules, particularly those with controlled widths and numbers of segments, remains a formidable challenge. Here we report the fabrication of the well-defined concentric hollow two-dimensional platelets with programmable widths and numbers of segments through constructing a concentric multiblock two-dimensional precursor followed by post-processing. The fabrication of concentric multi-hexagons two-dimensional platelets is realized by the alternative heteroepitaxial growth of two donor-acceptor molecules. Upon ultraviolet irradiation, one of the two donor-acceptor molecules can be selectively oxidized by singlet oxygen generated during the process, and the oxidized product becomes more soluble due to increased polarity. This allows for selective removal of the oxidized segments simply by solvent dissolution, yielding hollow multiblock two-dimensional structures. The hollow two-dimensional platelets can be utilized as templates to lithograph complex electrodes with precisely controlled gap sizes, thereby offering a platform for examining the optoelectronic performance of functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Liao
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanjun Gong
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanxue Che
- HT-NOVA Co. Ltd., Zhuyuan Road, Shunyi District, Beijing, China
| | - Hongwei Ji
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Ling Zang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nano Institute of Utah, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Yanke Che
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jincai Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Photochemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Li Z, Guo H, Jin X. Fabrication of Uniform Anionic Polymeric Nanoplatelets as Building Blocks for Constructing Conductive Hydrogels with Enhancing Conductive and Mechanical Properties. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2400008. [PMID: 38659335 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Conductive hydrogels play a crucial role in advancing technologies like implantable bioelectronics and wearable electronic devices, owing to their favorable conductivity and appropriate mechanical properties. Here, a novel bottom-up approach is reported for crafting conductive nanocomposite hydrogels to achieve enhancing conductive and mechanical properties. In this approach, new poly(ɛ-caprolactone)-based block copolymers with sulfonic groups are first synthesized and self-assembled into uniform polyanionic nanoplatelets. Subsequently, these negatively charged nanoplatelets, with sulfonic groups on the surface, are employed as nanoadditives for the polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), resulting in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/nanoplatelet complex with 3.8 times enhanced electrical conductivity compared with their counterparts prepared using block copolymers (BCPs). Blending the (PEDOT:PSS)/nanoplatelet complex with calcium alginate, nanocomposite hydrogels are successfully prepared. In comparison with hydrogels with (PEDOT:PSS)/BCP complexes prepared by a top-down method, the nanocomposite hydrogels are found to show twice as strong mechanical strength and 1.6 times higher conductivity. This work provides valuable insights into the bottom-up construction of conductive hydrogels for bioelectronics using well-controlled polymeric nanoplatelets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Li
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Hui Guo
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Xuhui Jin
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 102488, China
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Atienza CM, Sánchez L. Increasing Dimensionality in Self-Assembly: Toward Two-Dimensional Supramolecular Polymers. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202400379. [PMID: 38525912 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Different approaches to achieve 2D supramolecular polymers, as an alternative to the covalent bottom-up approaches reported for the preparation of 2D materials, are reviewed. The significance of the operation of weak non-covalent forces to induce a lateral growth of a number of self-assembling units is collected. The examples of both thermodynamically and kinetically controlled formation of 2D supramolecular polymers showed in this review demonstrate the utility of this strategy to achieve new 2D materials with biased morphologies (nanosheets, scrolls, porous surfaces) and showing elegant applications like chiral recognition, enantioselective uptake or asymmetric organic transformations. Furthermore, elaborated techniques like seeded or living supramolecular polymerizations have been demonstrated to give rise to complex 2D nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen M Atienza
- Departmento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, -Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Sánchez
- Departmento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, -Madrid, Spain
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