Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dmitry Baranov, Tara Sverko, Taylor Moot, Helena R. Keller, Megan D. Klein, E. K. Vishnu, Daniel M. Balazs, Katherine E. Shulenberger
Summary: In 2020, many scientific events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a lack of networking and knowledge exchange among scientists. To address this, a group of early career nanocrystal enthusiasts launched the virtual seminar series "News in Nanocrystals". This series attracted over 850 participants from 46 countries, emphasizing diversity and accessibility in its growth, providing lessons for fostering virtual scientific engagement during and post-pandemic.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Feng Li, Wending Zhou, Wanliang Yang, Meili Chen, Chun Wang, Rui Cao, Chengliang Zhou
Summary: Hierarchical self-assembly of 2D-channel silica materials with mesoscopic shape control and their application in catalysis, specifically in oxidative-adsorptive desulfurization (OADS), have been successfully achieved. These materials exhibit highly effective OADS performance due to their accessible open-transport channels. The stacking mechanism and the importance of size and specific surface area of the 2D-channel catalysts have been investigated. The optimal 2D-channel catalysts demonstrate excellent desulfurization performance and recyclability, making them promising for catalytic applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meng Li, Aniket Pal, Junghwan Byun, Gaurav Gardi, Metin Sitti
Summary: This study introduces a magnetically hard and soft material called magnetic putty, which has large remanence and low coercivity. The magnetization of the putty can be easily reoriented with an external field that is only one-tenth of its coercivity. Additionally, the magnetic putty is malleable and self-healing, making it versatile for various magnetic robotics applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florian M. Gartner, Isabella R. Graf, Erwin Frey
Summary: The time complexity of nonequilibrium self-assembly processes is characterized and different assembly scenarios are identified with distinct degrees of complexity. Optimal control strategies are determined. An efficient irreversible scheme for artificial self-assembly of nanostructures is proposed.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Liu, Yuting Chen, Xiaowu Jiang, Qianying Ni, Chen Liu, Fangfang Shang, Qingchao Xia, Sheng Zhang
Summary: This paper presents a novel self-assembly device with an intuitive effect, using table tennis balls as the objects for experimentation. Two experiments were conducted to examine the performance of the device in organizing specific structures and exploring the influence of environmental variables. The experiments also revealed the optimization and emergence characteristics of the bottom-up self-organization process. This provides a new choice and idea for structural design and optimization methods.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
D. Duc La, T. Dung Dang, P. Cuong Le, X. Thanh Bui, S. Woong, W. Jin, S. Chul Kim, D. Duc Nguyen
Summary: The supramolecular self-assembly of porphyrin derivatives allows for the fabrication of functionally designed structures that mimic natural mechanisms. These porphyrin-based nanomaterials obtained via self-assembly have various applications, including optical energy or information storage, solar energy conversion, sensors, nanocatalysts, photoelectronics, and photodynamic therapy. The recent progress and applications of self-assembled porphyrin-based nanomaterials in environmental treatment and sensing are discussed in this review.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
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)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Atanu Jana, Abhishek Meena, Supriya A. Patil, Yongcheol Jo, Sangeun Cho, Youngsin Park, Vijaya Gopalan Sree, Hyungsang Kim, Hyunsik Im, Robert A. Taylor
Summary: The self-assembly phenomenon is important in various fields, including atomic, molecular, biological, and colloidal nanocrystals. Self-assembly of colloidal nanocrystals can form superstructures with distinct physical and chemical properties. The self-assembly of colloidal perovskite nanocrystals has become a frontier in nanotechnology and has attracted remarkable attention in recent years.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiamin Zhang, Jinhui Jiang, Sha Lin, Erik Jan Cornel, Chang Li, Jianzhong Du
Summary: This article introduces the importance of polymersomes in biomedical applications and research progress in macromolecular self-assembly, including polymersomes with different membrane structures and self-assembly methods based on NCA-PISA. These studies help address the biodegradability issue of nanoparticles and explore higher-order polymersome research.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Li Zhang, Ming Deng, Yu Duan, Xin Wen, Yuqian Jiang, Hejin Jiang, Yuqiang Ma, Minghua Liu
Summary: The study found that tree-shaped fractal patterns could be self-assembled from Fmoc-Glu and ZnTPyP, composed of nanorod aggregate arranged in a spiral fractal way. The formation and growth of initial nucleon led to the fractal patterns, and the spiral packing and their branches were closely related to the absolute configuration of Fmoc-Glu.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chunqiang Jiang, Guohe Xu, Jianping Gao
Summary: This paper systematically reviews the progress of macromolecular self-assembly, including its conception, processes and mechanisms, with a focus on stimuli-responsive macromolecular self-assembly. Based on different stimuli, macromolecular self-assembly can be classified into different types. The problems and future development of macromolecular self-assembly research are also discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuanzhi Zhong, Jie Zhan, Guanghui Xu, Yumiao Chen, Qin Qin, Xu Liao, Shaodan Ma, Zhimou Yang, Yanbin Cai
Summary: The study demonstrates the construction of high-performing excimer-based luminescent tools at low molecular concentrations using enzyme-instructed self-assembly. The luminescent supramolecular nanofibers show potential for early cancer diagnosis and expand the application of supramolecular chemistry.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jason S. Kahn, Oleg Gang
Summary: Nanoparticles with unique properties have a wide range of potential applications, and DNA nanotechnology allows for programmable assembly to control particle organization in 1D, 2D, and 3D structures, enabling the creation of designer nanomaterials.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vsevolod V. Sudarev, Sofya M. Dolotova, Siarhei M. Bukhalovich, Sergey V. Bazhenov, Yury L. Ryzhykau, Vladimir N. Uversky, Nikolay A. Bondarev, Stepan D. Osipov, Anatolii E. Mikhailov, Daria D. Kuklina, Tatiana N. Murugova, Ilya V. Manukhov, Andrey V. Rogachev, Valentin I. Gordeliy, Ivan Yu. Gushchin, Alexander I. Kuklin, Alexey V. Vlasov
Summary: Ferritin is a crucial protein complex that stores iron and plays various roles in metabolic pathways, inflammation, stress response, and disease development. This review emphasizes the importance of ferritin in disease, cellular iron regulation, its structure, and its applications in biotechnology. The molecular mechanisms of ferritin self-assembly are essential for biotechnological and pharmaceutical purposes, and different self-assembly pathways have been proposed. This review compares these mechanisms and discusses the potential to control self-assembly by switching between intermediate states.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jing Yang, Di Zhao, Decui Yao, Yige Wang, Huanrong Li
Summary: Supramolecular self-assembly induced by lanthanide ions (Ln(3+)) was used to create functional luminescent materials with fast self-healing and good mechanical performance, showing promising applications in smart sensors. The materials exhibit reversibly responsive fluorochromic properties and high stretchability, providing new insights for the development of e-skin and smart optical devices.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eoin P. McCarney, June I. Lovitt, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: This study reports the efficient self-templated formation of optically active btp homocircuit [2]catenane enantiomers through X-ray diffraction crystallography for structural characterization. The self-assembly reaction was closely monitored in solution, facilitating the characterization of the pseudo-rotaxane reaction intermediate prior to mechanically interlocking the pre-organised system via ring-closing metathesis.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Adam F. Henwood, Isabel N. Hegarty, Eoin P. McCarney, June I. Lovitt, Shauna Donohoe, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: The btp ligand is a versatile terdentate ligand with unique binding properties, capable of binding to both cationic metals and anions through strong hydrogen bonding interactions. Its applications extend beyond traditional coordination chemistry to areas such as supramolecular chemistry, medicinal and optoelectronic applications, anion binding macrocycles, and mechanically interlocked molecules. The potential future avenues for exploration of this exciting molecular building block are also discussed.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Binduja Mohan, Sandra Estalayo-Adrian, Deivasigamani Umadevi, Bjorn la Cour Poulsen, Salvador Blasco, Gavin J. McManus, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson, Sankarasekaran Shanmugaraju
Summary: A unique V-shaped chiral supramolecular scaffold, TBNap, was synthesized and characterized. A novel p-cymene-Ru(II)-curcumin conjugate, TB-Ru-Cur, was designed and was found to possess good anticancer activity. The findings have important implications for the development of new fluorescent probes and anticancer compounds.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Gary J. Ryan, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson, Susan J. Quinn
Summary: Bi-chromophoric ruthenium polypyridyl complexes with nitro-1,8-naphthalimide groups demonstrate off-on light switching properties and effective DNA binding. The DNA affinity is influenced by the linker length and the number of naphthalimides, and the binding is attributed to naphthalimide intercalation and electrostatic interaction. The substitution position of the nitro group affects DNA binding and optical properties.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Isabel N. Hegarty, Adam F. Henwood, Samuel J. Bradberry, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: This paper describes the synthesis of two new polymers, P1 and P2, made from P(E-alt-MA) with 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) ligand side chains. These polymers were shown to be soluble in MeOH solution and P1 was also soluble in water, while P2 required prolonged heating for water dissolution. Both P1 and P2 were demonstrated to bind to Tb(iii) ions and exhibit luminescence through UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence emission, and time-gated phosphorescence spectroscopies. The analysis of titration data revealed a 1:2 (M:L; Tb(iii) : btp) stoichiometry, indicating crosslinking of two btp ligands and coordination by the polymer backbone.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isabel N. Hegarty, Samuel J. Bradberry, June I. Lovitt, Jason M. Delente, Niamh Willis-Fox, Ronan Daly, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: The development of the btp ligand 2 and its co-polymerization into polymeric hydrogels with different concentrations (F1 and F2) using various monomers is described. Lanthanide ions were used to form luminescent soft materials with the btp ligands, and the focus was on the luminescent properties of polymer F2. The formation of supramolecular hydrogel from precursor 1 and its properties were also investigated, and the addition of Tb(III) disrupted the soft-material features.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Elley E. Rudebeck, Trent D. Ashton, Adam F. Henwood, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson, Frederick M. Pfeffer
Summary: In this study, the synthesis of 1,8-naphthalimides functionalised as the 3,4-dihydroxy-1,8-naphthalimide (catechol, Nap-Cat) and the corresponding 15-crown-5 (Nap-Crown) is reported. These compounds are the first examples where these two recognition groups are directly incorporated into the 1,8-naphthalimide ring system. The evaluation of Nap-Cat and Nap-Crown showed slow oxidation for Nap-Cat upon prolonged exposure to H2O2, while no significant changes in photophysical properties were observed for Nap-Crown upon treatment with metal ions.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isabel N. Hegarty, Dawn E. Barry, Joseph P. Byrne, Oxana Kotova, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: In this study, the chiral bis-tridentate (1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-picolinamide (tzpa) ligand 1 was used to form lanthanide di- and triple stranded di-metallic helicates in acetonitrile solution. The changes in the ground and Tb(iii) excited state properties were monitored to observe the formation of these supramolecular structures in situ under kinetic control.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Huiyu Niu, Junwei Liu, Helen M. O'Connor, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson, Tony D. James, Hua Zhang
Summary: Typical PeT-based fluorescent probes are multi-component systems that utilize a fluorophore connected to a recognition/activating group through an unconjugated linker. These probes have been widely used in cell imaging and disease diagnosis due to their low background fluorescence and significant fluorescence enhancement towards the target. This review summarizes the research progress made in the past five years on PeT-based fluorescent probes targeting cell polarity, pH, and various biological species, emphasizing molecular design strategies, mechanisms, and applications. By providing guidance and promoting the development of new and improved PeT-based fluorescent probes, this review aims to promote the use of PeT-based systems for sensing, imaging, and disease therapy.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Harlei Martin, Laura Ramirez Lazaro, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson, Eoin M. Scanlan
Summary: This review discusses glycosidase-activated prodrugs targeting cancer cells. Glycosylated prodrugs can minimize toxic side effects and increase aqueous solubility of anticancer drugs. Significant advancements have been made in this field, leading to the development of novel carbohydrate-based prodrugs.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tumpa Gorai, June Lovitt, Deivasigamani Umadevi, Gavin McManus, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: The generation of green luminescent microspheres from the charge transfer interaction induced co-assembly is studied in this work. The properties of these microspheres are analyzed and an energy transfer process is observed, leading to the formation of a light-harvesting tri-component self-assembly.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samantha A. Murphy, Oxana Kotova, Steve Comby, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: The synthesis and characterization of two new 1,8-naphthalimide Troger's bases were described, showing Internal Charge Transfer excited state properties. These bases were designed as potential receptor molecules for detecting C-60, and significant fluorescence quenching was observed in experiments.
RESULTS IN CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Eoin P. McCarney, William J. McCarthy, June Lovitt, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: Four 2,6-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (btp) olefin-based ligands were synthesized and used in ring closing metatheses (RCM) reactions to form macrocyclic structures. Structural characterization was conducted in both solution and solid-state, demonstrating how precursor substitution can direct the formation of macrocycles or mechanically interlocked structures. NMR studies were carried out to investigate preorganization of the ligands in solution via hydrogen bonding interactions.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sandra Estalayo-Adrian, Salvador Blasco, Sandra A. Bright, Gavin J. McManus, Guillermo Orellana, D. Clive Williams, John M. Kelly, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: A family of six Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes with different lengths of alkyl chains have been synthesized and characterized, showing an influence on their photophysical and photochemical properties. The complexes with 21 carbon alkyl chains exhibited changes in emission properties and photosensitization abilities. The study also revealed that the complexes bind to DNA and demonstrated a length-dependent cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in cancer cells.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Tumpa Gorai, Wolfgang Schmitt, Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson
Summary: The development of lanthanide based coordination polymer and metal-organic framework (CPs and MOFs) nanomaterials as novel functional materials has attracted significant attention. These materials have unique coordination requirements and attractive physical properties, making them promising for applications in gas absorption, storage, conversion, bio-imaging, and more. Research on the design, synthesis, and characterization of these materials has been prominent in scientific literature, aiming to introduce their powerful features to new researchers.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
