Article
Polymer Science
Pedram Nasr, Hannah Leung, France-Isabelle Auzanneau, Michael A. Rogers
Summary: Complex morphologies of self-assembled fibrillar networks like DBS-PEG SAFiNs exhibit fractal characteristics rather than Euclidean, with Cayley Tree branching pattern and similar box-counting fractal dimensions across length scales. Fractal values indicate limited diffusion aggregation regardless of crystallization temperature. The impact of changes in solvent viscosity, such as PEG200 versus PEG600, has a greater effect on the fractal dimension of SAFiNs than crystallization temperature, with surprising evidence of Cayley branching on fiber surfaces in addition to radial fibers within spherulites.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lisa Schlichter, Carmen C. Piras, David K. Smith
Summary: The study demonstrates the dynamic assembly of a pH-responsive low-molecular-weight gelator within a pre-formed gel matrix using acid diffusion, allowing for spatial and temporal control. Different acids and gel structures can create diverse gel assembly patterns and lasting pH gradients.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Y. Bai, P. Nasr, G. King, J. W. Reid, A. F. G. Leontowich, M. G. Corradini, R. G. Weiss, F. -I. Auzanneau, M. A. Rogers
Summary: Substituting the hydroxyl group of a low molecular weight organogelator with a halogen atom drastically alters the supramolecular self-assembled fibrillar network. The halogenated derivatives have more coherent crystalline fibers and larger aspect ratios compared to the original compound.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenwu Wang, Haijun Cui, Modan Liu, Stephan L. Grage, Maxi Hoffmann, Elaheh Sedghamiz, Wolfgang Wenzel, Pavel A. Levkin
Summary: This study demonstrates the critical influence of the solvent nature on the mechanical properties and performance of soft polymer gels. A polymer gel platform based on PEG as solvent is reported, which shows high stretchability and toughness, rapid self-healing, and long-term stability. The enhanced mechanical properties of the PEGgel system hold promise for broad applications in wearable electronics, soft actuators, and robotics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Partha Sarathi Mukherjee
Summary: This special issue covers various aspects and challenges in the design, synthesis, and functions of self-assembled molecules and materials, including one review and nine personal accounts.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefania Albonetti, Changwei Hu, Shunmugavel Saravanamurugan
Summary: In this Editorial, the Guest Editors introduce the significance and challenges of the sustainable transformation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, as well as outline the contents of the Special Issue with contributions from scientists around the world.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Aleksandr Buglakov, Valentina V. Vasilevskaya
Summary: Amphiphilic polymers in mixed solvents can form fibrils and gels through cononsolvency effect. The gelation mechanism is dependent on solvent interactions, and the morphology of the resulting fibrillar gel can be controlled by changing binary solvent composition. This study provides insights into the formation and properties of fibrillar gels, which can be useful for controlling synthetic matrix morphologies in tissue engineering.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Syeda M. Bakht, Manuel Gomez-Florit, Tara Lamers, Rui L. Reis, Rui M. A. Domingues, Manuela E. Gomes
Summary: The controlled self-assembly of plant-derived cellulose nanocrystals is combined with 3D bioprinting for the direct biofabrication of microphysiological systems. This approach allows high-resolution bioprinting with arbitrary geometries and tailored permeability for biomacromolecules diffusion and cellular crosstalk, holding structural stability for long-term in vitro cell maturation and offering new opportunities in regenerative medicine.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Norio Shibata, Dinesh Talwar
Summary: The unique properties and applications of fluorine-containing molecules have had significant impact across different scientific fields, from small to large molecules. This special issue provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in fluorine chemistry.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Niki Baccile, Ghazi Ben Messaoud, Patrick Le Griel, Nathan Cowieson, Javier Perez, Robin Geys, Marilyn De Graeve, Sophie L. K. W. Roelants, Wim Soetaert
Summary: In this study, it was found that a sophorolipids congener, palmitic acid, can spontaneously form a self-assembled fibre network at pH below 6 through a pH jump process. The transition from micelles to fibres was characterized by enhanced core-shell contrast and micellar fusion into a flat membrane. The resulting nanofibre network can form a thixotropic hydrogel with fast recovery rates, with the strength of the hydrogel depending on the final pH of the medium.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Lin Xu, Samuel C. Lamont, Tao Li, Ying Zhang, Wenlong Pan, Chongyi Gao, Chen Zhu, Si Chen, Hongwei Hu, Jianning Ding, Franck J. Vernerey
Summary: We investigated the mechanical properties of a magnetic temperature-sensitive hydrogel with varying concentrations of covalent and physical cross-linking. Increasing the nanoclay content improved both strength and toughness in the double network materials due to the strong viscoplastic behavior of the physical nanoclay network. Our findings suggest that the yield-stress behavior of the nanoclay network and load-sharing interactions between the PNIPAAm and nanoclay are responsible for the observed trends. Additionally, we found a strong correlation between the mass ratio of covalent cross-linker used and fractional percolation of the PNIPAAm network.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Peng Zhou, Ruirui Xing, Qi Li, Junbai Li, Chengqian Yuan, Xuehai Yan
Summary: Controlling the morphology of supramolecular hydrogels is crucial in tuning their mechanical properties. This study investigates the evolution of fibrillar networks in hydrogels by modulating droplets formed via liquid-liquid phase separation. The size and amount of droplets, as well as the structural evolution and network development, can be finely tuned by varying the thermal history. The findings provide insights into the role of phase-separated droplets in self-assembling networks and contribute to the engineering of supramolecular hydrogels with adjustable mechanical properties.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charles D. Nichols, David E. Nichols
Summary: Psychedelics, a relatively recent field of research, have shown profound therapeutic potential for various psychiatric disorders. This special issue provides a comprehensive review of the basic science of psychedelics, aiming to enhance our understanding of their effects on brain function.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Hao Wang, Zelin Chen, Siyao Cheng, Rui Li, Xihao Pan, Cheng Zhang, Hanwen Gu, Aming Xie, Wei Dong
Summary: This study presents a new type of antimicrobial material - polymer hydrogel, which has high water absorption, excellent biocompatibility, and structural diversity. By a simple and rapid synthesis method, the physical and chemical properties as well as the antibacterial performance of the hydrogels can be modulated.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmen C. Piras, David K. Smith
Summary: Hybrid gel beads combining low-molecular-weight gelator with polymer gelator demonstrate enhanced self-propulsion in water. These beads show potential for effectively accumulating dye pollutants and have promising environmental and biological applications.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
