1
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Ustunel S, Pandya H, Prévôt ME, Pegorin G, Shiralipour F, Paul R, Clements RJ, Khabaz F, Hegmann E. A Molecular Rheology Dynamics Study on 3D Printing of Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2300717. [PMID: 38445752 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
This work presents a rheological study of a biocompatible and biodegradable liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) ink for three dimensional (3D) printing. These materials have shown that their structural variations have an effect on morphology, mechanical properties, alignment, and their impact on cell response. Within the last decade LCEs are extensively studied as potential printing materials for soft robotics applications, due to the actuation properties that are produced when liquid crystal (LC) moieties are induced through external stimuli. This report utilizes experiments and coarse-grained molecular dynamics to study the macroscopic rheology of LCEs in nonlinear shear flow. Results from the shear flow simulations are in line with the outcomes of these experimental investigations. This work believes the insights from these results can be used to design and print new material with desirable properties necessary for targeted applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senay Ustunel
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Harsh Pandya
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Marianne E Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Gisele Pegorin
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Faeze Shiralipour
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Rajib Paul
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Robert J Clements
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Fardin Khabaz
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
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2
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Gowda A, Pathak SK, Rohaley GAR, Acharjee G, Oprandi A, Williams R, Prévôt ME, Hegmann T. Organic chiral nano- and microfilaments: types, formation, and template applications. Mater Horiz 2024; 11:316-340. [PMID: 37921354 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01390a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Organic chiral nanofilaments are part of an important class of nanoscale chiral materials that has recently been receiving significant attention largely due to their potential use in applications such as optics, photonics, metameterials, and potentially a range of medical as well as sensing applications. This review will focus on key examples of the formation of such nano- and micro-filaments based on carbon nanofibers, polymers, synthetic oligo- and polypeptides, self-assembled organic molecules, and one prominent class of liquid crystals. The most critical aspects discussed here are the underlying driving forces for chiral filament formation, potentially answering why specific sizes and shapes are formed, what molecular design strategies are working equally well or rather differently among these materials classes, and what uses and applications are driving research in this fascinating field of materials science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwathanarayana Gowda
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Suraj Kumar Pathak
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Grace A R Rohaley
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Gourab Acharjee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Andrea Oprandi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Ryan Williams
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Marianne E Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Torsten Hegmann
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
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3
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Sezgin B, Liu J, N. Gonçalves DP, Zhu C, Tilki T, Prévôt ME, Hegmann T. Controlling the Structure and Morphology of Organic Nanofilaments Using External Stimuli. ACS Nanosci Au 2023; 3:295-309. [PMID: 37601923 PMCID: PMC10436377 DOI: 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.3c00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
In our continuing pursuit to generate, understand, and control the morphology of organic nanofilaments formed by molecules with a bent molecular shape, we here report on two bent-core molecules specifically designed to permit a phase or morphology change upon exposure to an applied electric field or irradiation with UV light. To trigger a response to an applied electric field, conformationally rigid chiral (S,S)-2,3-difluorooctyloxy side chains were introduced, and to cause a response to UV light, an azobenzene core was incorporated into one of the arms of the rigid bent core. The phase behavior as well as structure and morphology of the formed phases and nanofilaments were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry, cross-polarized optical microscopy, circular dichroism spectropolarimetry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis spectrophotometry, as well as X-ray diffraction experiments. Both bent-core molecules were characterized by the coexistence of two nanoscale morphologies, specifically helical nanofilaments (HNFs) and layered nanocylinders, prior to exposure to an external stimulus and independent of the cooling rate from the isotropic liquid. The application of an electric field triggers the disappearance of crystalline nanofilaments and instead leads to the formation of a tilted smectic liquid crystal phase for the material featuring chiral difluorinated side chains, whereas irradiation with UV light results in the disappearance of the nanocylinders and the sole formation of HNFs for the azobenzene-containing material. Combined results of this experimental study reveal that in addition to controlling the rate of cooling, applied electric fields and UV irradiation can be used to expand the toolkit for structural and morphological control of suitably designed bent-core molecule-based structures at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barış Sezgin
- Department
of Chemistry, Süleyman Demirel University, 32260 Isparta, Çünür, Turkey
- Advanced
Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
| | - Jiao Liu
- Advanced
Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
- Materials
Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
| | - Diana P. N. Gonçalves
- Advanced
Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State
University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
| | - Chenhui Zhu
- Advanced
Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720 United States
| | - Tahir Tilki
- Department
of Chemistry, Süleyman Demirel University, 32260 Isparta, Çünür, Turkey
| | - Marianne E. Prévôt
- Advanced
Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
| | - Torsten Hegmann
- Advanced
Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
- Materials
Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State
University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
- Brain Health
Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 United States
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4
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Ustunel S, Sternbach S, Prévôt ME, Freeman EJ, McDonough JA, Clements RJ, Hegmann E. 3D
Co‐culturing of human neuroblastoma and human oligodendrocytes, emulating native tissue using
3D
porous biodegradable liquid crystal elastomers. J Appl Polym Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/app.53883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Senay Ustunel
- Materials Science Graduate Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Sarah Sternbach
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Marianne E. Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Ernie J. Freeman
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Jennifer A. McDonough
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Robert J. Clements
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Materials Science Graduate Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
- Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University Kent Ohio USA
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5
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Prévôt ME, Ustunel S, Freychet G, Webb CR, Zhernenkov M, Pindak R, Clements RJ, Hegmann E. Physical Models from Physical Templates Using Biocompatible Liquid Crystal Elastomers as Morphologically Programmable Inks For 3D Printing. Macromol Biosci 2023; 23:e2200343. [PMID: 36415071 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202200343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Advanced manufacturing has received considerable attention as a tool for the fabrication of cell scaffolds however, finding ideal biocompatible and biodegradable materials that fit the correct parameters for 3D printing and guide cells to align remain a challenge. Herein, a photocrosslinkable smectic-A (Sm-A) liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) designed for 3D printing is presented, that promotes cell proliferation but most importantly induces cell anisotropy. The LCE-based bio-ink allows the 3D duplication of a highly complex brain structure generated from an animal model. Vascular tissue models are generated from fluorescently stained mouse tissue spatially imaged using confocal microscopy and subsequently processed to create a digital 3D model suitable for printing. The 3D structure is reproduced using a Digital Light Processing (DLP) stereolithography (SLA) desktop 3D printer. Synchrotron Small-Angle X-ray Diffraction (SAXD) data reveal a strong alignment of the LCE layering within the struts of the printed 3D scaffold. The resultant anisotropy of the LCE struts is then shown to direct cell growth. This study offers a simple approach to produce model tissues built within hours that promote cellular alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne E Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Senay Ustunel
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Guillaume Freychet
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source-II, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Caitlyn R Webb
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Mikhail Zhernenkov
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source-II, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Ron Pindak
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, National Synchrotron Light Source-II, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Robert J Clements
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
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6
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Shen N, Bu J, Prévôt ME, Hegmann T, Kennedy JP, Xu W. Macromolecular Engineering and Additive Manufacturing of Polyisobutylene-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers. II. The Poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene)/Poly(phenylene oxide) System. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2200109. [PMID: 35355350 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
This series of publications describes research rendering soft polyisobutylene (PIB)-based thermoplastic elastomers 3D printable by blending with rigid chemically compatible thermoplastics. The molecular structure, morphology, physical properties, and 3D printability of such blends have been systematically investigated. The authors' first report was concerned with the rendering of soft poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS) 3D printable by blending with rigid polystyrene (PS). Here they report the macromolecular engineering of SIBS/polyphenylene oxide (PPO) blends for 3D printing. PPO, a rigid high-performance thermoplastic, is compatible with the hard PS block in SIBS; however, neither PPO nor SIBS can be directly 3D printed. The microphase-separated structures and physical properties of SIBS/PPO blends are systematically tuned by controlling blending ratios and molecular weights. Suitable composition ranges and desirable properties of SIBS/PPO blends for 3D printing are optimized. The morphology and properties of SIBS/PPO blends are characterized by an ensemble of techniques, including atomic force microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and thermal and mechanical properties testing. The elucidation of processing-structure-property relationship of SIBS/PPO blends is essential for 3D printing and advanced manufacturing of high-performance polymer systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naifu Shen
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Jinyu Bu
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Marianne E Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI), Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Torsten Hegmann
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute (AMLCI), Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA.,Materials Science Graduate Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Brain Health Research Institute (BHRI), Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Joseph P Kennedy
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Weinan Xu
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
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7
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Liu J, Molard Y, Prévôt ME, Hegmann T. Highly Tunable Circularly Polarized Emission of an Aggregation-Induced Emission Dye Using Helical Nano- and Microfilaments as Supramolecular Chiral Templates. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:29398-29411. [PMID: 35713169 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c05012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) has been recognized as a promising pathway for developing chiroptical materials with high luminescence dissymmetry factors (|glum|). Here, we propose a method for the construction of a thermally tunable CPL-active system based on a supramolecular self-assembly approach that utilizes helical nano- or microfilament templates in conjunction with an AIE dye. The CPL properties of the ensuing ensembles are predominantly determined by the intrinsic geometric differences among the various filament templates such as their overall dimensions (width, height, and helical pitch) and the area fraction of the exposed aromatic segments or sublayers. The proposed mechanism is based on the collective data acquired by absorption, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence, absolute quantum yield, and CPL measurements. The highest |glum| value for the most promising dual-modulated helical nanofilament templates in the present series was further enhanced, reaching up to |glum| = 0.25 by confinement in the appropriate diameter of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) nanochannels. It is envisioned that this methodology will afford new insights into the design of temperature-rate indicators or anti-counterfeiting tags using a combination of structural color by the nano- and microfilament templates and the AIE property of the guest dye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Liu
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
| | - Yann Molard
- Univ Rennes, ISCR - UMR 6226, ScanMAT - UAR 2025, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Marianne E Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
| | - Torsten Hegmann
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
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8
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Liu J, Shadpour S, Prévôt ME, Chirgwin M, Nemati A, Hegmann E, Lemieux RP, Hegmann T. Molecular Conformation of Bent-Core Molecules Affected by Chiral Side Chains Dictates Polymorphism and Chirality in Organic Nano- and Microfilaments. ACS Nano 2021; 15:7249-7270. [PMID: 33734664 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The coupling between molecular conformation and chirality is a cornerstone in the construction of supramolecular helical structures of small molecules across various length scales. Inspired by biological systems, conformational preselection and control in artificial helical molecules, polymers, and aggregates has guided various applications in optics, photonics, and chiral sorting among others, which are frequently based on an inherent chirality amplification through processes such as templating and self-assembly. The so-called B4 nano- or microfilament phase formed by some bent-shaped molecules is an exemplary case for such chirality amplification across length scales, best illustrated by the formation of distinct nano- or microscopic chiral morphologies controlled by molecular conformation. Introduction of one or more chiral centers in the aliphatic side chains led to the discovery of homochiral helical nanofilament, helical microfilament, and heliconical-layered nanocylinder morphologies. Herein, we demonstrate how a priori calculations of the molecular conformation affected by chiral side chains are used to design bent-shaped molecules that self-assemble into chiral nano- and microfilament as well as nanocylinder conglomerates despite the homochiral nature of the molecules. Furthermore, relocation of the chiral center leads to formation of helical as well as flat nanoribbons. Self-consistent data sets from polarized optical as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thin-film and solution circular dichroism spectropolarimetry, and synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction experiments support the progressive and predictable change in morphology controlled by structural changes in the chiral side chains. The formation of these morphologies is discussed in light of the diminishing effects of molecular chirality as the chain length increases or as the chiral center is moved away from the core-chain juncture. The type of phase (B1-columnar or B4) and morphology of the nano- or microfilaments generated can further be controlled by sample treatment conditions such as by the cooling rate from the isotropic melt or by the presence of an organic solvent in the ensuing colloidal dispersions. We show that these nanoscale morphologies can then organize into a wealth of two- and three-dimensional shapes and structures ranging from flower blossoms to fiber mats formed by intersecting flat nanoribbons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Liu
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
| | - Sasan Shadpour
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
| | - Marianne E Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
| | - Michael Chirgwin
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
| | - Ahlam Nemati
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
| | - Robert P Lemieux
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Torsten Hegmann
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent (Ohio) 44242-0001, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, United States
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9
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Ustunel S, Prévôt ME, Clements RJ, Hegmann E. Cradle-to-cradle: designing biomaterials to fit as truly biomimetic cell scaffolds– a review. Liquid Crystals Today 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/1358314x.2020.1855919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Senay Ustunel
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Marianne E. Prévôt
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Robert J. Clements
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
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10
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Shadpour S, Nemati A, Salamończyk M, Prévôt ME, Liu J, Boyd NJ, Wilson MR, Zhu C, Hegmann E, Jákli AI, Hegmann T. Missing Link between Helical Nano- and Microfilaments in B4 Phase Bent-Core Liquid Crystals, and Deciphering which Chiral Center Controls the Filament Handedness. Small 2020; 16:e1905591. [PMID: 31885139 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201905591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The range of possible morphologies for bent-core B4 phase liquid crystals has recently expanded from helical nanofilaments (HNFs) and modulated HNFs to dual modulated HNFs, helical microfilaments, and heliconical-layered nanocylinders. These new morphologies are observed when one or both aliphatic side chains contain a chiral center. Here, the following questions are addressed: which of these two chiral centers controls the handedness (helicity) and which morphology of the nanofilaments is formed by bent-core liquid crystals with tris-biphenyl diester core flanked by two chiral 2-octyloxy side chains? The combined results reveal that the longer arm of these nonsymmetric bent-core liquid crystals controls the handedness of the resulting dual modulated HNFs. These derivatives with opposite configuration of the two chiral side chains now feature twice as large dimensions compared to the homochiral derivatives with identical configuration. These results are supported by density functional theory calculations and stochastic dynamic atomistic simulations, which reveal that the relative difference between the para- and meta-sides of the described series of compounds drives the variation in morphology. Finally, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) data also uncover the new morphology for B4 phases featuring p2/m symmetry within the filaments and less pronounced crystalline character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Shadpour
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
| | - Ahlam Nemati
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
| | | | - Marianne E Prévôt
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
| | - Jiao Liu
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
| | - Nicola J Boyd
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Mark R Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Chenhui Zhu
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
| | - Antal I Jákli
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
| | - Torsten Hegmann
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
- Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA
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11
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Prévôt ME, Ustunel S, Hegmann E. Liquid Crystal Elastomers-A Path to Biocompatible and Biodegradable 3D-LCE Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration. Materials (Basel) 2018; 11:E377. [PMID: 29510523 PMCID: PMC5872956 DOI: 10.3390/ma11030377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The development of appropriate materials that can make breakthroughs in tissue engineering has long been pursued by the scientific community. Several types of material have been long tested and re-designed for this purpose. At the same time, liquid crystals (LCs) have captivated the scientific community since their discovery in 1888 and soon after were thought to be, in combination with polymers, artificial muscles. Within the past decade liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) have been attracting increasing interest for their use as smart advanced materials for biological applications. Here, we examine how LCEs can potentially be used as dynamic substrates for culturing cells, moving away from the classical two-dimensional cell-culture nature. We also briefly discuss the integration of a few technologies for the preparation of more sophisticated LCE-composite scaffolds for more dynamic biomaterials. The anisotropic properties of LCEs can be used not only to promote cell attachment and the proliferation of cells, but also to promote cell alignment under LCE-stimulated deformation. 3D LCEs are ideal materials for new insights to simulate and study the development of tissues and the complex interplay between cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne E Prévôt
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Senay Ustunel
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program (CPIP), Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program (CPIP), Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
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12
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Prévôt ME, Andro H, Alexander SLM, Ustunel S, Zhu C, Nikolov Z, Rafferty ST, Brannum MT, Kinsel B, Korley LTJ, Freeman EJ, McDonough JA, Clements RJ, Hegmann E. Liquid crystal elastomer foams with elastic properties specifically engineered as biodegradable brain tissue scaffolds. Soft Matter 2018; 14:354-360. [PMID: 29236117 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01949a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Tissue regeneration requires 3-dimensional (3D) smart materials as scaffolds to promote transport of nutrients. To mimic mechanical properties of extracellular matrices, biocompatible polymers have been widely studied and a diverse range of 3D scaffolds have been produced. We propose the use of responsive polymeric materials to create dynamic substrates for cell culture, which goes beyond designing only a physical static 3D scaffold. Here, we demonstrated that lactone- and lactide-based star block-copolymers (SBCs), where a liquid crystal (LC) moiety has been attached as a side-group, can be crosslinked to obtain Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) with a porous architecture using a salt-leaching method to promote cell infiltration. The obtained SmA LCE-based fully interconnected-porous foams exhibit a Young modulus of 0.23 ± 0.07 MPa and a biodegradability rate of around 20% after 15 weeks both of which are optimized to mimic native environments. We present cell culture results showing growth and proliferation of neurons on the scaffold after four weeks. This research provides a new platform to analyse LCE scaffold-cell interactions where the presence of liquid crystal moieties promotes cell alignment paving the way for a stimulated brain-like tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Prévôt
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 1425 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA and Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, 850 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - H Andro
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 1425 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - S L M Alexander
- Macromolecular Sciences and Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 2100 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - S Ustunel
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 1425 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA and Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, 850 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA. and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, 1425 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - C Zhu
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Z Nikolov
- National Polymer Innovation Center, College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, 240 S Forge Street, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - S T Rafferty
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 1425 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - M T Brannum
- Macromolecular Sciences and Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 2100 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - B Kinsel
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 1425 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - L T J Korley
- Macromolecular Sciences and Engineering Department, Case Western Reserve University, 2100 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - E J Freeman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, 850 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - J A McDonough
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, 850 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - R J Clements
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, 850 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - E Hegmann
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, 1425 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA and Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, 850 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA. and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, 1425 Lester Lefton Esplanade, Kent, OH 44242, USA
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13
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Prévôt ME, Ustunel S, Bergquist LE, Cukelj R, Gao Y, Mori T, Pauline L, Clements RJ, Hegmann E. Synthesis of Biocompatible Liquid Crystal Elastomer Foams as Cell Scaffolds for 3D Spatial Cell Cultures. J Vis Exp 2017:55452. [PMID: 28448030 PMCID: PMC5564508 DOI: 10.3791/55452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we present a step-by-step preparation of a 3D, biodegradable, foam-like cell scaffold. These scaffolds were prepared by cross-linking star block co-polymers featuring cholesterol units as side-chain pendant groups, resulting in smectic-A (SmA) liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). Foam-like scaffolds, prepared using metal templates, feature interconnected microchannels, making them suitable as 3D cell culture scaffolds. The combined properties of the regular structure of the metal foam and of the elastomer result in a 3D cell scaffold that promotes not only higher cell proliferation compared to conventional porous templated films, but also better management of mass transport (i.e., nutrients, gases, waste, etc.). The nature of the metal template allows for the easy manipulation of foam shapes (i.e., rolls or films) and for the preparation of scaffolds of different pore sizes for different cell studies while preserving the interconnected porous nature of the template. The etching process does not affect the chemistry of the elastomers, preserving their biocompatible and biodegradable nature. We show that these smectic LCEs, when grown for extensive time periods, enable the study of clinically relevant and complex tissue constructs while promoting the growth and proliferation of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leah E Bergquist
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University
| | - Richard Cukelj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University
| | | | - Taizo Mori
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University
| | | | | | - Elda Hegmann
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University;
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