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Zheng H, Tong X, Zhang Y, Yin P, Yi J, Chen Z, Lai H, Zhou W, Zhong L, Zhuo H, Peng X. Controllable and Reversible Assembly of Nanofiber from Natural Macromolecules via Protonation and Deprotonation. Small 2024; 20:e2304196. [PMID: 37665232 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304196] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Nanofiber is the critical building block for many biological systems to perform various functions. Artificial assembly of molecules into nanofibers in a controllable and reversible manner will create "smart" functions to mimic those of their natural analogues and fabricate new functional materials, but remains an open challenge especially for nature macromolecules. Herein, the controllable and reversible assembly of nanofiber (CSNF) from natural macromolecules with oppositely charged groups are successfully realized by protonation and deprotonation of charged groups. By controlling the electrostatic interaction via protonation and deprotonation, the size and morphology of the assembled nanostructures can be precisely controlled. A strong electrostatic interaction contributes to large nanofiber with high strength, while poor electrostatic interaction produces finer nanofiber or nanoparticle. And especially, the assembly, disassembly, and reassembly of the nanofiber occurs reversibly through protonation and deprotonation, thereby paving a new way for precisely controlling the assembly process and structure of nanofiber. The reversible assembly allows the nanostructure to dynamically reorganize in response to subtle perturbation of environment. The as-prepared CSNF is mechanical strong and can be used as a nano building block to fabricate high-strength film, wire, and straw. This study offers many opportunities for the biomimetic synthesis of new functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Xing Tong
- Department of Chemistry, UBC Faculty of Science, Vancouver Campus, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Yuping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Panchao Yin
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Jiwang Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Zehong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Haihong Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 3 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Linxin Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Hao Zhuo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 3 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Xinwen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
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