Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zi-Han Hsu, Li Hsu, Chia-Chi Huang
Summary: This report introduces a method for preparing polyacrylamide materials with unique surface morphology. By cross-linking and reduction reactions, the smooth polymer surface is transformed into submicron cubic clusters impregnated with silver nanoparticles. The resulting material resembles the Great Barrier Reefs in overall morphology and features a high content of active silver nanostructures. It demonstrates versatility in surface-enhanced Raman scattering and methanolysis catalysis. These methods enlarge the surface area of the shape-adapting polymer material while generating minimal chemical waste.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Changyu Wang, Cuiling Lin, Rui Ming, Xiangxin Li, Pascal Jonkheijm, Mengjiao Cheng, Feng Shi
Summary: Three-dimensional scaffolds with chemical diversity play a significant role in directing cell adhesion and controlling cell fates. The concept of macroscopic supramolecular assembly shows promise in fabricating 3D structures with internal chemical diversity for site-selective cell adhesion. The spatial distribution of chiral molecules has been proven effective in directing selective cell adhesion for different cell lines.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takahiro Itami, Akihito Hashidzume, Yuri Kamon, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi, Akira Harada
Summary: The study investigates how the shape of assemblies formed from microparticles can be controlled by varying the content of guest molecules. Higher content of guest molecules leads to more elongated assemblies, suggesting a relationship between guest molecule content and the shape of the assemblies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruohong Sui, Paul A. Charpentier, Robert A. Marriott
Summary: The self-assembly of dendritic metal oxide structures involves anisotropic polycondensation or molecular recognition mechanisms, with unique structures and properties that have a wide range of applications in drug delivery, energy conversion and storage, biomaterials, and electronic noses.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Takahiro Soeta, Shota Kurobe, Yutaro Nirei, Naoto Kurokawa, Weilin Wei, Ayhan Yurtsever, Takeshi Fukuma, Yutaka Ukaji
Summary: In this study, a low-molecular-weight organogelator derived from (l)-amino acids was synthesized and its gelation ability was confirmed. The (l)-alanine derivatives were found to be excellent gelators and the gelation performance could be controlled by changing the gelator concentration. The self-molecular aggregates in the obtained gels were observed to be helical or sheet-like, indicating the formation of aggregates through self-molecular recognition.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sourabh Bera, Sushmita Basu, Biman Jana, Parthasarathi Dastidar
Summary: In this study, we report a rare phenomenon where macroscopic helical morphologies were observed under an optical microscope in a DMSO gel of a simple terpyridine derivative. This unique assembly displayed reversible gel <-> sol behavior and could withstand acidic and ammonia vapour, making it suitable for potential applications.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kaushik Saha, Gourisankar Ghosh
Summary: This study reveals a novel function of U1 snRNP in defining splicing substrates in mammals. It demonstrates how SR proteins and U1 snRNP cooperate to generate a substrate for spliceosome assembly. The excess U1 snRNP selectively displaces some SR proteins, allowing for sequential recognition of splice signals. This mechanism may be employed by other splicing regulatory proteins.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yan-Lin Li, Hong-Mei Zhao, Yu-Qing Ren, Meng Qiu, Hai-Tong Zhang, Guang-Peng Gao, Li Zheng, Pericles Stavropoulos, Lin Ai
Summary: In this study, chiral ester derivatives containing an amide group and possessing one or two stereogenic centers were successfully recognized using H-1 NMR spectroscopy. These derivatives were differentiated in the presence of tetraaza macrocyclic chiral solvating agents. Job plots, association constants, and theoretical calculations were performed to understand their chiral discriminating behavior. The practical application was evaluated by measuring the H-1 NMR spectra of G1 and G9 with various optical purities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Esteban Suarez-Picado, Maeva Coste, Jean-Yves Runser, Mathieu Fossepre, Alain Carvalho, Mathieu Surin, Loic Jierry, Sebastien Ulrich
Summary: Smart stimuli-responsive fluorescent materials are synthesized in this project, displaying aggregation-induced emission and forming dynamic covalent self-assemblies. The mechanical properties of resulting organogels vary based on the number of cysteine residues in the peptide sequence. These materials show multidynamic responsiveness, enabling controlled degradation with changes in spectroscopic outputs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jun Kumai, Satoru Sasagawa, Masanobu Horie, Yoshihiro Yui
Summary: This study aimed to improve and simplify the preparation of PA gels using an economical crosslinker, NHS-AA ester, to increase stability in protein coating, with promising results showing similar biological behavior of cells compared to sulfo-SANPAH gels.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Neda Aslankoohi, Kibret Mequanint
Summary: The study prepared intrinsically fluorescent organic-inorganic hybrid microparticles through a sol-gel process under acidic conditions, allowing for tunable emission wavelengths and significant gene expression inducing osteogenic differentiation in cells.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yusaku Kawai, Junsu Park, Yoshiki Ishii, Osamu Urakawa, Shunsuke Murayama, Ryohei Ikura, Motofumi Osaki, Yuka Ikemoto, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi, Akira Harada, Tadashi Inoue, Hitoshi Washizu, Go Matsuba, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: Bulk copolymerization of alkyl acrylates and cyclodextrin host monomers produced a single movable cross-network (SC), which improved the toughness and stress dispersion of the elastomer.
NPG ASIA MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daichi Yoshida, Junsu Park, Ryohei Ikura, Naoki Yamashita, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: Recent research has discovered that cyclodextrin derivatives can undergo host-guest complexation in both hydrophobic carbon-based elastomers and aqueous environments, resulting in self-healing properties. This study focuses on the self-healing properties exhibited by cyclodextrin derivatives through host-guest complexation in poly(dimethyl siloxane)-based materials. The cut surfaces were successfully rejoined after being kept at room temperature for 24 hours, although healing efficiency remains a challenge. The cyclodextrin-based supramolecular cross-links significantly contribute to the self-healing properties.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junsu Park, Hiroki Tamura, Masaki Nakahata, Yuichiro Kobayashi, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Hiroaki Takahashi, Satoshi Takata, Kengo Kayano, Akira Harada, Kazuhiro Hatano, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: Simultaneously self-healable and conductive materials are desirable for their lightness, long lifetime, and flexibility. In this study, cyclodextrin and adamantane were incorporated into an intrinsically conductive polymer system through host-guest complexation. The resulting polymeric materials exhibited simultaneous self-healing properties and electrical conductivities as coatings without the need for any conductive agents.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yoshihiro Tsuji, Yuichiro Kobayashi, Chunlin Xiao, Akira Harada, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi
Summary: The physical properties of cyclic polymers differ from those of linear polymers. Cyclic polymers are typically synthesized at low concentration because intermolecular linkage is preferential to intramolecular linkage at high concentrations. This study demonstrates a new approach to obtain cyclic polymers from highly concentrated polymer solutions using pseudo-polyrotax-anes (pPRxs). By penetrating a linear polymer into the cavity of a cyclic host to form pPRx and then connecting the ends of the linear polymer, cyclic polymers can be synthesized at concentrations that do not allow conventional methods.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuri Kamon, Junji Miura, Koji Okuno, Shota Yamasaki, Masaki Nakahata, Akihito Hashidzume
Summary: Recent progress in precision polymerization techniques has allowed researchers to synthesize polymers with controlled molecular weight, tacticity, and monomer sequence. However, synthesizing uniform polymers and oligomers with specific molecular weight, tacticity, and monomer sequence remains a challenging subject.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Akihito Hashidzume, Toru Imai, Nanako Deguchi, Takashi Tanibayashi, Takumi Ikeda, Tomohiro Michitaka, Satoki Kuwahara, Masaki Nakahata, Yuri Kamon, Yasuto Todokoro
Summary: In order to achieve sustainable societies, it is important to develop the production of organic compounds that are not based on fossil resources. C1 chemistry, which utilizes one-carbon compounds as starting materials, has become increasingly significant. The formose reaction, in particular, shows promise as it produces sugars (monosaccharides) from formaldehyde under basic conditions. Microwave irradiation is known to improve the selectivity and efficiency of reactions due to its ability to induce the rotational motion of molecules. This study investigates the formose reaction under microwave irradiation and various conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuichiro Kobayashi, Yuki Yamagishi, Ryuto Nishimura, Chun-Lin Xiao, Daiki Kitano, Akiyoshi Horiguchi, Shun Hashimoto, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi
Summary: A supramolecular sulfur-containing polymer was synthesized by introducing 2-ureido-4[1H]pyrimidinone (UPy) units at both ends of linear sulfur and connecting between the UPys via hydrogen bonding.
JOURNAL OF SULFUR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yusaku Kawai, Junsu Park, Shunsuke Murayama, Ryohei Ikura, Motofumi Osaki, Takashi Konishi, Go Matsuba, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: Bulk copolymerization of alkyl acrylate and cyclodextrin host monomers forms a single movable cross network and contributes to good toughness (G (f)). By hybridizing the dual-cross-network (DC) elastomers with tertiary glassy polymers, called DCP elastomers, we can improve the toughness (G (f)) and Young's modulus (E) properties. The phase-separated structures of DCP elastomers, observed through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements under uniaxial stretching, contribute to high toughness.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuyang Ding, Junsu Park, Ryohei Ikura, Saori Nara, Kazuki Toda, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: Cyclic polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is an unavoidable byproduct of linear PPS production. Utilizing cyclic PPS as an additive in supramolecular chemistry can improve the mechanical properties of polystyrene-based materials. It was found that the addition of cyclic PPS significantly increased the toughness of PS-PEA and slightly increased the Young's modulus. Additionally, cyclic PPS formed reversible and movable cross-links with PS-PEA, promoting homogeneous blending. This study not only provides a method to utilize cyclic PPS but also offers a practical approach to preparing reinforced PS-based polymers.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Junsu Park, Yui Sasaki, Yoshiki Ishii, Shunsuke Murayama, Kohei Ohshiro, Kengo Nishiura, Ryohei Ikura, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi, Akira Harada, Go Matsuba, Hitoshi Washizu, Tsuyoshi Minami, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: In this article, conductive leaf-inspired supramolecular gas sensors are reported. These sensors utilize acetylated cyclodextrin derivatives to control the electric output and have shown the potential for developing wearable gas sensors.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Junsu Park, Yuki Shimizu, Xin Zhou, Ryohei Ikura, Go Matsuba, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: Photoresponsiveness is a promising characteristic of stimulus-responsive materials, which can be achieved by incorporating photoresponsive molecules into polymeric materials. Moisture- and photoresponsive materials, the focus of this report, exhibit bending behaviors at different water contents and their switching behavior can inspire strategies for the application of polymeric materials as actuators.
Article
Polymer Science
Daichi Yoshida, Junsu Park, Naoki Yamashita, Ryohei Ikura, Nobu Kato, Masanao Kamei, Kentaro Ogura, Minoru Igarashi, Hideo Nakagawa, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: PDMS elastomers were prepared by incorporating a movable cross-link into linear thiol-modified PDMS chains. The obtained elastomers exhibited significantly higher Young's modulus and toughness compared to chemically cross-linked PDMS elastomers. The movable cross-links contributed to larger mechanical hysteresis areas and faster relaxation behavior. Structural studies revealed phase separation and nanometer-scale phase separation structure, which were attributed to the good mechanical properties. These topological cross-links in PDMS elastomers have the potential to expand material design strategies for noncarbon-based elastomers.
Article
Polymer Science
Yuichiro Kobayashi, Daiki Kitano, Ryuto Nishimura, Yuki Yamagishi, Akiyoshi Horiguchi, Hiroyasu Yamaguchi
Summary: We have successfully synthesized a supramolecular cross-linked polysulfide polymer containing bipyridine (poly(LS-bpy)) through metal-ligand interactions. The complexation of bipyridine and a metal ion in poly(LS-bpy) leads to the formation of a supramolecular cross-linked polysulfide polymer. The molecular weight of this polymer is 29 times higher than that of a traditional polysulfide polymer. Furthermore, the addition of chelating agents and a metal ion allows for the disassembly and assembly of the supramolecular cross-linked polysulfide polymer, respectively. This polymer also exhibits improved thermal stability, making it a promising material for various applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Koji Okuno, Junji Miura, Shota Yamasaki, Masaki Nakahata, Yuri Kamon, Akihito Hashidzume
Summary: A new thermoresponsive polymer, poly(N-ethyl-N-methyl-4-azido-5-hexynamide) (poly(ME)), was synthesized. Different stereoregular poly(ME) were synthesized and their thermoresponsive behavior was investigated.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Zhou, Ryohei Ikura, Changming Jin, Kenji Yamaoka, Junsu Park, Yoshinori Takashima
Summary: Light-driven actuators are widely used for smart devices, and achieving rapid responsiveness and favorable mechanical properties is a main challenge. In this study, a photoresponsive polyurethane (CD-Azo-PU) was developed by controlling the crystallization of the hard segments in polyurethane through complexation between azobenzene and cyclodextrins. The incorporation of movable crosslinks into CD-Azo-PU resulted in enhanced photoresponsive actuation with a faster bending rate.
