Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Zhang, Cuiling Lin, Chen Chen, Liqun Zhang, Feng Shi, Mengjiao Cheng
Summary: This study demonstrates the molecular-conformation-dependent macroscopic supramolecular self-assembly (MSA) driven by electrostatic interactions. Evidence from single molecular force spectroscopy shows that the modified polyelectrolytes on MSA component surfaces enable MSA with a loop conformation, while those with a flat conformation prevent assembly, due to distinct molecular mobility. This finding is believed to be applicable in fundamental phenomena such as surface adsorption and adhesion of polymers.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ting Zhao, Zhongrui Wang, Yang Yang, Kun Liu, Xu Wang
Summary: This study presents a novel strategy for achieving cyclic and waste-free nonequilibrium assembly and disassembly of macroscopic hydrogels, utilizing an ionic strength-mediated approach. The strategy involves using ammonium carbonate as a chemical fuel to temporally regulate the attractions between oppositely charged hydrogels. This concept holds promise for creating macroscopic and microscopic nonequilibrium systems and self-adaptive materials.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ting Zhao, E. Yuyu, Jiwei Cui, Jingcheng Hao, Xu Wang
Summary: Macroscopic nonequilibrium assembly is achieved by integrating pH-responsive hydrogels and urea-urease clock reaction, enabling precise assembly for controlled release and mass transfer applications. Transient electrostatic attraction between hybrid polymer hydrogels is crucial for the realization of macroscopic nonequilibrium assembly, which can be controlled and repeated by adjusting synthesis parameters and fuel compositions.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Keigo Tashiro, Takuho Saito, Hironari Arima, Natsuki Suda, Balaraman Vedhanarayanan, Shiki Yagai
Summary: Chemists have constructed sophisticated artificial nanostructured systems through self-assembly, including scissor-shaped photochromic dyads that hierarchically self-assemble into discrete nanostructures with photoresponsive properties. These nanostructures, such as azobenzene dyads, can be dissociated and reorganized through the photoisomerization of azobenzene units, enabling controllable and adjustable structures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ikuya Matsumoto, Ryo Sekiya, Takeharu Haino
Summary: By decorating nanographenes with alkyl chains and controlling concentration, solvent polarity, temperature, and sonication, it is possible to achieve self-assembly and formation of stacked structures. Optical measurements and AFM images confirm the presence of stacked structures, while molecular mechanics calculations model the interactions within the aggregates. The nanographenes exhibit concentration-dependent morphologies, forming stacked structures at low concentrations and polymer-like network structures at higher concentrations on mica.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sylvain Sudan, Farzaneh Fadaei-Tirani, Rosario Scopelliti, Kristina E. Ebbert, Guido H. Clever, Kay Severin
Summary: Thirteen palladium-ligand assemblies with different structures and topologies were studied for their ability to bind lithium ions. It was found that the addition of LiBF4 caused a significant structural rearrangement in one case, converting a dinuclear [Pd2L4](4+) complex into a low-symmetry [Pd4L8](8+) assembly with two binding pockets for solvated LiBF4 ion pairs. This rearrangement was only induced by Li+, indicating highly specific host-guest interactions. Structural analysis revealed that the [Pd4L8](8+) receptor had a compact structure with multiple intramolecular interactions, similar to natural and synthetic foldamers.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jurgen Schill, Bas J. H. M. Rosier, Berta Gumi Audenis, Eva Magdalena Estirado, Tom F. A. de Greef, Luc Brunsveld
Summary: This study introduces a hybrid DNA origami-based approach for dynamic templating of supramolecular architectures, allowing for selective recruitment of supramolecular polymers to the platform with dynamic tuning of composition. This platform aids in real-time study of supramolecular structures in their native environment and promotes new strategies for controlled multicomponent self-assembly.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zongshang Li, Ke Xiao, Qingyun Wan, Rui Tang, Kam-Hung Low, Xiaodong Cui, Chi-Ming Che
Summary: The introduction of multiple kinetic aggregation states (Aggs) into the self-assembly pathway can increase the complexity and flexibility of the self-assemblies. This was achieved by using a series of chiral and achiral d(10) Au-I bis(N-heterocyclic carbene, NHC) complexes, where the achiral complex could undergo self-assembly with multiple kinetic Aggs. The chiral Au-I self-assemblies exhibited nonlinear optical response of second harmonic generation (SHG) and could function as optical waveguides with strong emission polarization, while these properties were absent in the achiral analogue.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shengyu Bai, Hucheng Wang, Guanyao Gu, Yinuo Gou, Xin Zhou, Shulei Yu, Qian Wang, Xuhong Guo, Yiming Wang
Summary: The growth of supramolecular hydrogels with transient and directional characteristics was achieved through a reaction-diffusion self-assembly strategy. By controlling the content of acids and bases, the propagation distance and lifetime of the gradients could be easily controlled. Furthermore, pH-sensitive gelators were used to control the width and lifetime of the hydrogel growth.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Hugenbusch, Marc Lehr, Jan-Simon von Glasenapp, Anna J. McConnell, Rainer Herges
Summary: We report the photo-switching properties of two regioisomeric diazocine ligands. The self-assembly of these ligands with Co-II ions was studied, and reversible transformation between different ligand configurations and Co-II complexes was achieved through light-controlled switching.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wanjun Xu, Shuaijun Pan, Benjamin B. Noble, Jingqu Chen, Zhixing Lin, Yiyuan Han, Jiajing Zhou, Joseph J. Richardson, Irene Yarovsky, Frank Caruso
Summary: This study reports the synthesis of site-selective coordinated metal-phenolic networks using flavonoids as coordination modulators. The tuning of different coordination sites allows for easy control of the physicochemical properties of the materials, expanding our understanding of metal-phenolic chemistry and providing new design routes.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mitsuaki Yamauchi, Seiya Yamamoto, Sadahiro Masuo
Summary: The study demonstrates a novel supramolecular coassembly system that forms highly ordered QD arrangement structures via self-assembly, enabling photocontrollable photoluminescence properties. The assembled system undergoes structural changes under light, but recovers its original structure and properties over time.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lukasz Baran, Konrad Dyk, Daniel Michael Kaminski, Marek Stankevic, Wojciech Rzysko, Dariusz Tarasewicz, Tomasz Zientarski
Summary: In this study, the formation of self-assembled structures of tetraphenyl derivatives with different substitutions was investigated using classical molecular dynamics and quantum calculations. The results indicate that certain functional groups have a significant impact on the self-assembly process, and these molecules can form various ordered phases.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guoxin Lu, Guiqiang Zhu, Qian Zhang, Pan Tian, Mengjiao Cheng, Feng Shi
Summary: In this study, a supra-amphiphile Marangoni fuel-sodium-4-(benzylideneamino) benzenesulfonate (SBBS) was synthesized, which can be hydrolyzed in a timely manner to a species without surface activity, thus extending the motion time by 10-fold and achieving self-assembly of millimeter-scaled components. The underlying mechanism was explained through motion analyses and simulation. This strategy provides an active solution for self-assembly at the mu m-to-mm scale and promotes interactive ideas between miniaturized chemical robots.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bin Sun, Eva J. J. Meeus, Felix J. J. de Zwart, Eduard O. O. Bobylev, Tiddo J. J. Mooibroek, Simon Mathew, Joost N. H. Reek
Summary: Coordination chemistry is a powerful method for synthesizing supramolecular cages with specific applications. This study successfully synthesized discrete, homochiral (Fe2L3)-L-II cages through chirality-driven self-assembly. The size of these cages can be controlled by stereochemical manipulation of the iron(II) centers, and their formation requires chirality at both the vertices and ligand backbones. The smaller cages exhibit stereoselectivity with only chiral ligands, and their formation is driven by non-covalent interactions.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Zhang, Yingzhi Sun, Chengzhi He, Feng Shi, Mengjiao Cheng
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yingzhi Sun, Xinghuan Wang, Menglin Xiao, Shanshan Lv, Mengjiao Cheng, Feng Shi
Summary: Macroscopic supramolecular assembly (MSA) is a new concept focusing on noncovalent interactions between macroscopic building blocks, mainly limited to hydrogel materials. By adjusting intrinsic properties of nonhydrogel materials, MSA can be realized, demonstrating the feasibility of directly adjusting the modulus of bulk materials to achieve MSA, potentially providing new solutions for elastomer materials manufacture.
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
Engineering, Environmental
Qian Zhang, Ge Gao, Guoxin Lu, Lei Shao, Feng Shi, Lei Jiang, Mengjiao Cheng
Summary: Applying superwetting materials in fluid control has great potential in various applications such as micro-mixing and droplet manipulation, showing advantages in improving production efficiency and energy saving.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Guiqiang Zhu, Yijing Liu, Rui Ming, Feng Shi, Mengjiao Cheng
Summary: Micro-light emitting diode (micro-LED) is an emerging display technology with excellent performance. This article reviews three main categories of mass transfer technologies for micro-LED display and discusses their advantages, disadvantages, application prospects, and future development.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minghui Tan, Pan Tian, Qian Zhang, Guiqiang Zhu, Yuchen Liu, Mengjiao Cheng, Feng Shi
Summary: This study demonstrates a self-sorting mechanism that automatically identifies the surface chemistry of mu m-to-mm components based on A-B attraction and A-A repulsion, achieved through the additivity and competition of long-range magnetic/capillary forces. The correlation between magnetic/capillary forces and interactive distance reveals the energy landscape of each assembly pattern and increases the assembly yield of ABA trimers.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qian Zhang, Bingkun Zhao, Zhenxing Lin, Feng Shi, Mengjiao Cheng
Summary: This study demonstrates the macroscopic supramolecular assembly (MSA) of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) building blocks using microgel films as flexible spacing coating and surface functional groups. The microgel films play a key role in achieving MSA by enhancing interfacial binding and reducing the laborious two-step modification process.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yijing Liu, Rongzhuang Zhao, Shaohua Li, Xianchong Xue, Qian Zhang, Feng Shi, Mengjiao Cheng
Summary: A macroscopic supramolecular assembly (MSA) is achieved by pre-modifying a flexible spacing coating of a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel, which enables diverse rigid materials to undergo rapid wet adhesion through electrostatic interactions. The selective self-assembly of positive-negative charged surfaces results in significantly improved interfacial binding force compared to control groups. The coating exhibits simple fabrication, strong adhesion, solvent tolerance, and feasibility of photo-patterning. This strategy broadens the material choices for efficient MSA and provides new methods for rapid interfacial adhesion.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Guoxin Lu, Guiqiang Zhu, Benwei Peng, Rongzhuang Zhao, Feng Shi, Mengjiao Cheng
Summary: In this study, a multi-engine six-arm-shaped device was designed, allowing for motion control through multiple fuel positions. A strategy of diluting the surfactant fuel was proposed to prolong the motion lifetime, resulting in an extension of 143% compared to conventional surfactant fuels. The motion trajectories could be easily adjusted by changing the fuel number and positions, leading to diverse rotation patterns. By integrating with a coil and a magnet, a system of mini-generators based on the Marangoni rotor was obtained, with a significantly increased output compared to the single-engine case. The design of the Marangoni rotor addressed the issues of concentration-gradient-driven devices and enriched their applications in energy harvesting from the environment.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dan Wang, Jiamin Wang, Rui Ming, Chongxian Liu, Pan Tian, Mengjiao Cheng, Meng Xiao, Feng Shi
Summary: Recently, there has been a growing demand to capture and utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) as a greenhouse gas for various applications. A mini-generator based on photosynthesis has been designed to convert the internal energy of oxygen bubbles produced by photosynthesis into electricity. This system can also be used to monitor weather conditions.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guoxin Lu, Guiqiang Zhu, Qian Zhang, Pan Tian, Mengjiao Cheng, Feng Shi
Summary: In this study, a supra-amphiphile Marangoni fuel-sodium-4-(benzylideneamino) benzenesulfonate (SBBS) was synthesized, which can be hydrolyzed in a timely manner to a species without surface activity, thus extending the motion time by 10-fold and achieving self-assembly of millimeter-scaled components. The underlying mechanism was explained through motion analyses and simulation. This strategy provides an active solution for self-assembly at the mu m-to-mm scale and promotes interactive ideas between miniaturized chemical robots.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Zhang, Cuiling Lin, Guannan Ju, Chengzhi He, Alexander J. C. Kuehne, Mengjiao Cheng, Feng Shi, Wantai Yang
Summary: The study finds that self-healing phenomena can be used to judge whether a film can be a flexible spacing coating for macroscopic supramolecular assembly (MSA) of rigid materials. The metric is applied to different film systems and proven effective in designing coatings for MSA, which is applied in advanced manufacturing.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xin Peng, JunXuan Huang, Yan Liu, MengJiao Cheng, Bo Li, RuiLing Li, PeiXi Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates a significant association between changes in different obesity indicators and the risk of incident hypertension. Body mass index is the best predictive indicator of hypertension, and younger individuals with higher baseline obesity indicators are at the highest risk of developing hypertension in the future.
ANNALS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengjiao Cheng, Lina Zhang, Feng Shi
Summary: The field of smart materials research is moving towards a systematic trend of utilizing multiple cooperative materials for complex tasks. Recent research focuses on integrating two or more smart materials into one device to work cooperatively. Specifically, self-propulsion of miniature smart devices through functionally cooperating systems has shown advanced applications such as mini-generators and biomimicking devices.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
