Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaohong Liu, Mohammad-Amin Moradi, Tom Bus, Michael G. Debije, Stefan A. F. Bon, Johan P. A. Heuts, Albert P. H. J. Schenning
Summary: Monodisperse, flower-like liquid crystalline polymer particles were successfully synthesized using precipitation polymerization of a LC mixture with redox-responsive diacrylates. The presence of a small amount of redox-responsive diacrylates induced the formation of flower-like shapes, with particle morphology influenced by polymerization temperature. Time-resolved TEM showed that particle morphology was determined early in the polymerization process, with subsequent growth unaffected by changes in morphology. Flower-like particles degraded faster under reducing conditions due to their higher surface-to-volume ratio.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
I. M. Tambovtsev, I. S. Lobanov, Alexei D. Kiselev, V. M. Uzdin
Summary: We investigate pairwise interactions between localized topological structures in chiral magnetic and cholesteric liquid crystal systems. The potentials between skyrmions and torons are found to be attractive, while the potentials between leeches may become repulsive in certain directions. All the potentials have repulsive parts at short distances and exhibit local minima at equilibrium separations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jacopo Vialetto, Sergii Rudiuk, Mathieu Morel, Damien Baigl
Summary: This study presents a generic method for optically reconfigurable colloidal crystals at the air/water interface and reveals a new mechanism for controlling lattice properties using light. The photoreversible melting process is driven by thermocapillary stress and increased particle diffusivity, allowing for dynamic patterns and multiresponsive assembly to be achieved with light and magnetic stimuli.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Wangmeng Hou, Wen Zhong, Hanying Zhao
Summary: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the polymerization-induced surface self-assembly (PISSA) approach in synthesizing colloidal particles with tunable asymmetric core-shell structures. By using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents covalently anchored onto silica particles, asymmetric colloidal particles with controllable anisotropy were successfully prepared via RAFT dispersion polymerization of styrene. The morphologies of the particles changed from surface nodules to snowman-like structures and finally to asymmetric spherical structures with eccentrically positioned core-shell structures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Linna Wang, Shang Shi, Zhang Luo, Na Qu, Bing Liu
Summary: The self-assembly of colloidal rings with tunable asymmetry using a depletion force can create a variety of porous colloidal superstructures, such as microtubes, flexible chains, (plastic) crystals, and highly open liquid crystals. Staged self-assembly in binary or ternary systems leads to the formation of complex ring-in-ring and ring-in-ring-in-ring assemblies, which can further develop into multi-walled microtubes and open columnar liquid crystals. This approach with colloidal rings offers a new pathway for constructing hierarchical and porous ordered metamaterials.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Deborah Feller, Matthias Karg
Summary: Microgels adsorb to air/water and oil/water interfaces driven by a significant reduction in interfacial tension. Depending on the available interface area per microgel, strong lateral deformation and hexagonally ordered structures can be observed. Transfer to solid substrates allows for macroscopically sized microgel monolayers that are important for photonic and plasmonic studies.
Article
Food Science & Technology
M. P. Jimenez-Escobar, L. A. Pascual-Pineda, E. J. Vernon-Carter, C. Beristain
Summary: This study aimed to form liquid crystalline structures to retain and protect beta-carotene. The experiments showed that the best formation of liquid crystals occurred at HLB values of 11 and 12, indicating potential applications in developing novel food products with desired properties.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cicely Shillingford, Brandon M. Kim, Marcus Weck
Summary: Capillary assembly of liquid particles (CALP) is a microfabrication strategy for engineering arbitrarily shaped polymer colloids. CALP demonstrates versatility by engineering geometrically diverse Janus and patchy colloids using consecutive assembly and heterogeneous coassembly. It enables the design and fabrication of colloids with complex internal construction to target hierarchical functional materials, with the potential for further processing into colloid-based microscale devices.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuanzhe He, Lefeng Wang, Kai Yang, Xi Wang, Weibin Rong, Lining Sun
Summary: Proposed self-assembled magnetic micropaddles as microswimmers that can locomote freely and cooperate at liquid surfaces, showing controlled propulsion in a precessing field, reverse moving directions at high frequencies, and the ability for different length micropaddles to move in opposite directions under the same precessing magnetic field. The study demonstrates assemblies of different parts based on cooperation, offering a promising avenue for various micromanipulation applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lukasz Baran, Dariusz Tarasewicz, Daniel M. M. Kaminski, Wojciech Rzysko
Summary: Selective fabrication of cubic diamond is achieved in a one-component system by applying an external field and manipulating its strength. The formation is driven by the commensurate structure of the first adlayer with the (110) face of cubic diamond. The structure remains stable even after the external field is turned off, allowing for further post-synthetic treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Amane Shiohara, Christopher D. Easton, Beatriz Prieto-Simon, Nicolas H. Voelcker
Summary: The authors developed a bioreceptor-based biosensor with tunable nanochannels for the size-selective detection of intact viruses. The sensor demonstrated the ability to differentiate non-infectious viral particles from intact/infectious viruses with high sensitivity and low detection limit.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yinling Chen, Zhixin Hu, Dongyang Zhao, Kejia Zhou, Zhenyu Huang, Wuduo Zhao, Xiaonan Yang, Chaojun Gao, Yangjie Cao, Yenya Hsu, Weijen Chang, Zonhan Wei, Xiaoxi Liu
Summary: In this study, hexagonal arrays of cell clusters were fabricated using self-assembled superparamagnetic cone structures. These structures effectively captured and arranged magnetically labeled cells, forming cell cluster arrays. By minimizing the system's total energy, the growth and migration of cells were restricted by the local magnetic field gradient caused by the hexagonal superparamagnetic cones.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kazuhiro Akutsu-Suyama, Norifumi L. Yamada, Yuki Ueda, Ryuhei Motokawa, Hirokazu Narita
Summary: Knowledge of interfacial structures in liquid-liquid systems is crucial for enhancing two-phase biological and chemical reactions. A new sample cell for neutron reflectometry (NR) was developed to observe the layer structure around the interface. The adsorption behavior of SDS on the toluene-D2O interface was investigated under the new experimental conditions.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mert Ulusel, Orcun Dincer, Ozan Sahin, Simge Cinar-Aygun
Summary: Nucleation and growth are crucial steps in microstructure formation, and controlling the solidification conditions allows for the manipulation of phase distribution within particles. This method offers a novel opportunity for the scalable production of compartmentalized particles with high yields.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Li, Yijun Zhang, Mingxiao Li, Yang Zhao, Lingqian Zhang, Chengjun Huang
Summary: An improved protocol for preparing 2D colloidal monolayers at the air/water interface was proposed, resulting in wafer-scale monolayers with increased crystal domain size and prevention of nanosphere sinking.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sajad Pour-Esmaeil, Naser Sharifi-Sanjani, Sepideh Khoee, Nader Taheri-Qazvini
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2020)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mioka Koike, Miho Aizawa, Hiroyuki Minamikawa, Atsushi Shishido, Takahiro Yamamoto
Summary: A novel photohardenable pressure-sensitive adhesive was developed by adding photoresponsive liquid crystal plasticizers to poly(methyl methacrylate) at various ratios. Photoplasticization process, induced by UV and visible light, allowed for reversible transition between pressure-sensitive adhesion state and hardened state. The adhesion strength of the samples was significantly influenced by the phase structures of the plasticizers, with smectic E phase plasticizers showing higher adhesion strength.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Farivash Gholamirad, Nader Taheri-Qazvini
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of free-standing 3D porous structures based on 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets through the diffusion of positively charged poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). The optimized PAH concentration results in smaller and more circular pores, with 120-200 kDa PAH found to be more effective than 17.5 kDa. Manipulating the ionization degrees of the components leads to significant changes in the porous morphology, highlighting the importance of electrostatic interactions in shape development.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohsen Esmaeili, Kyle George, Gelareh Rezvan, Nader Taheri-Qazvini, Rui Zhang, Monirosadat Sadati
Summary: Studying the alignment of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) under shear flow conditions during the 3D printing process is crucial for the development of advanced architectures. This study used a microfluidic strategy combined with polarized optical microscopy (POM) to characterize the alignment of CNCs in real-time. Birefringence measurements under white and monochromatic light were used to quantify the alignment. The results showed that the initial structure of the CNC suspensions significantly influenced the flow-induced birefringence patterns. Understanding the flow effect on the alignment of chiral liquid crystals is important for designing 3D printed structures with internal chirality for advanced applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shoyo Takei, Mitsuki Fujioka, Yudai Shimada, Yuka Tabe, Takahiro Yamamoto
Summary: The induced smectic phases of 5CB-EBBA binary mixtures were found to have the highest stability and maximum charge transfer when mixed at a ratio of 1:2. As the EBBA content increased, the molecular motion slowed down due to a decrease in free volume. The stability and molecular reorientation in induced smectics can be independently controlled.
MOLECULAR CRYSTALS AND LIQUID CRYSTALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Y. Sasaki, T. Yamamoto, H. Mori
Summary: The study introduces a self-healing hybrid system composed of low molecular weight multifunctional silsesquioxane nanoparticles and cross-linked networks formed from non-covalent metal-ligand interactions. By tuning the dynamics and strength of the bonds, rapid self-healing and robust mechanical properties with ion conductivity were achieved. This molecular design strategy provides a versatile pathway for the production of self-healing hybrid materials with excellent mechanical properties.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Xiaoqin Wang, Kaden C. Stevens, Jeffrey M. Ting, Alexander E. Marras, Gelareh Rezvan, Xiaojun Wei, Nader Taheri-Qazvini, Matthew Tirrell, Chang Liu
Summary: In this study, the potential of diblock synthetic polyelectrolytes as nanopore sensing probes was explored by investigating their translocation behaviors through alpha-hemolysin and MspA nanopores. The results indicate efficient translocations of PEO-b-PSS through alpha-HL and PEO-b-PVBTMA through MspA, suggesting that synthetic polyelectrolytes can offer more flexibility and cost-effectiveness for nanopore sensing.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Keiko Kojima, Miho Aizawa, Takahiro Yamamoto, Shun Muroga, Kazufumi Kobashi, Toshiya Okazaki
Summary: In this paper, a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) dispersion without acid treatment was prepared using sodium cholate, and its phase transition behavior was investigated. Increasing the SWCNT concentration resulted in a transition from isotropic to biphasic and then to nematic phases. The arrangement of SWCNTs in the tactoids and Schlieren structures was directly observed using polarized optical microscopy. These findings suggest a crucial advantage for the liquid-phase processing of CNT fibers and films.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Farivash Gholamirad, Jinqun Ge, Monirosadat Sadati, Guoan Wang, Nader Taheri-Qazvini
Summary: Hybrid materials based on MXene and positively charged poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) chains were synthesized and their morphology, electrical conductivity, and EMI shielding effectiveness were studied. The results showed that PAH chains enhanced the oxidation stability and integrity of the MXene structures. The morphology and electrical conductivity of the hybrids could be tuned, and the EMI shielding performance was influenced by the conductive network configuration.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Keiko Kojima, Hirokuni Jintoku, Yuki Kuwahara, Miho Aizawa, Takahiro Yamamoto, Shun Muroga, Kazufumi Kobashi, Toshiya Okazaki
Summary: We investigated the liquid crystal phase behaviors of sodium cholate-stabilized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) aqueous dispersions with different SWCNT aspect ratios. The isotropic-to-nematic phase transition occurs at a lower concentration for the SWCNT dispersion with a larger aspect ratio, as expected by the Onsager theory. A well-aligned film was successfully fabricated from the dispersion with a higher SWCNT aspect ratio using simple blade coating. We also prepared SWCNT dispersions with different surfactants, sodium deoxycholate, and sodium taurodeoxycholate, to change the surface condition of SWCNTs, which may affect the LC transition concentrations.
APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sepideh Norouzi, Rui Zhang, Juan G. Munguia-Fernandez, Luis de Pablo, Ye Zhou, Nader Taheri-Qazvini, Harrison Shapiro, Samuel Morin, Jose A. Martinez-Gonzalez, Monirosadat Sadati, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The study investigates the interplay between surface anchoring, spatially curved geometry, and the order associated with liquid crystals (LCs) in flexible and miniaturized technologies. Experimental methods and computational simulations were used to explore the effects of deformable curved boundaries on LC orientation in uniaxially and biaxially stretched droplets. The findings provide valuable insights for the design of LC-based flexible devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohsen Esmaeili, Sepideh Norouzi, Kyle George, Gelareh Rezvan, Nader Taheri-Qazvini, Monirosadat Sadati
Summary: Inspired by natural Bouligand structures, researchers have successfully used cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-based inks for 3D printing to create structures with guided long-range radial twisted chirality. The nanostructures during the printing process were evaluated using rheological measurements, in situ flow analysis, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and director field analysis. By incorporating a photo-curable monomer, the chirality of the printed filaments was locked, and optimized Carbopol microgels were used to support the as-printed inks before photo-polymerization. This biomimetic approach opens up new possibilities for developing bio-inspired materials with nanoscale hierarchies in larger-scale 3D printed constructs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miho Aizawa, Haruhisa Akiyama, Takahiro Yamamoto, Yoko Matsuzawa
Summary: The development of a dismantlable adhesion technology using external stimuli is crucial for sustainable material cycles. In this study, a dismantlable system based on a stimuli-responsive molecular layer was demonstrated, which enhanced adhesive strength by forming chemical bonds and could be dismantled when required. The versatile applicability of this molecular layer-based system was expanded by using different components.
Article
Crystallography
Takenaka Yoshiko, D. Sato, T. Yamamoto
Summary: This study reviewed the fibrous self-assembly of liquid crystal through self-organization, which exhibits new optical functions and interfacial interactions not seen in bulk materials. Thermotropic liquid crystals organize fibres through phase transitions or shape changes. The characteristics of these fibres, as well as lyotropic myelin and lyotropic fibres, are also discussed. Theoretical research on the growth mechanism and physical properties of the fibres is summarized.
LIQUID CRYSTALS TODAY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sewoon Kim, Farivash Gholamirad, Bora Shin, Nader Taheri-Qazvini, Jinwoo Cho, Miao Yu, Chang Min Park, Jiyong Heo, Yeomin Yoon
Summary: The Ti3C2TX MXene-coated membrane exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity, negatively charged surface, and improved performance in treating organic contaminants. The membrane showed good rejection of natural organic matter and charged pharmaceuticals, with the separation process influenced by electrostatic interactions. The Ti3C2TX MXene-coated membrane also demonstrated high water permeability, retention performance, and antifouling capability, making it effective for treating various organic contaminants.
