Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shasha Lu, Jianlei Shen, Chunhai Fan, Qian Li, Xiurong Yang
Summary: Stimuli-responsive designs allow remote and reversible control of DNA nanostructures, expanding the application scope of dynamic DNA nanotechnology. These systems find wide applications in nanofabrication and biomedical research.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuxiang Dong, Jiliang Liu, Xuanzhao Lu, Jialin Duan, Liqi Zhou, Lizhi Dai, Min Ji, Ningning Ma, Yong Wang, Peng Wang, Jun-Jie Zhu, Qianhao Min, Oleg Gang, Ye Tian
Summary: Self-assembly processes are important for fabricating complexly organized nanomaterials, but often limited in creating structures with multiscale order. In this study, a two-stage assembly strategy is introduced to successfully form complexly organized nanoparticle crystals.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anirban Som, Alessandra Griffo, Indranath Chakraborty, Hendrik Haehl, Biswajit Mondal, Amrita Chakraborty, Karin Jacobs, Paivi Laaksonen, Olli Ikkala, Thalappil Pradeep, Nonappa
Summary: 2D nanomaterials possess a range of mechanical, electrical, optical, and catalytic properties. The self-assembly of atomically precise noble nanoclusters offers a modular approach for the synthesis of new generation 2D materials. This study demonstrates the self-assembly of silver nanoclusters into large-area membranes with strong and elastic properties. These membranes can be easily transferred to different substrates and enable the detection of antibiotic molecules without substrate pretreatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Margaret S. Lee, Alfredo Alexander-Katz, Robert J. Macfarlane
Summary: Polymer nanocomposites are created by combining nanoscale fillers with a polymer matrix to enhance matrix properties and introduce unique behaviors. By manipulating particle organization, better control over polymer-particle interactions is achieved, allowing for the formation of ordered arrays with emergent properties. Additional stability to these lattices can be provided by adding free polymer chains, enabling the generation of nanocomposites with complete control over particle organization.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chao Wang, Hui Zou, Na Liu, Zong-Quan Wu
Summary: This Minireview highlights recent advances in the preparation of polyallenes and summarizes the self-assembly and stimuli-responses of polyallene-based diblock, ABA and ABC triblock copolymers. It aims to inspire more interest in developing polyallenes and encourage further advances in functional materials.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
John Russo, Flavio Romano, Lukas Kroc, Francesco Sciortino, Lorenzo Rovigatti, Petr Sulc
Summary: This study proposes a general framework for solving inverse self-assembly problems and successfully demonstrates the design and numerical simulation of a specific cubic diamond structure. The approach uses patchy particles as building blocks and transforms the problem into a Boolean satisfiability problem to determine the interaction rules between patches.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yingqi Liu, Yunyun Wu, Zhong Luo, Menghuan Li
Summary: Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials have been attracting significant attention in the field of cancer therapy, as they offer the potential to deliver anticancer drugs to tumor sites with precision and on-demand. Supramolecular chemistry, which involves reversible bonding at the molecular and nanoscale levels, has advanced the design of nanotherapeutics with enhanced control and functionality. This review provides a comprehensive summary of non-covalent interaction modes, such as hydrophobic interaction, hydrogel bonding, host-guest interaction, pi-pi stacking, and electrostatic interaction, and discusses their implications for designing stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems to improve spatial, temporal, and dosage precision. The review also highlights current challenges and future opportunities in self-assembly-based stimuli-responsive drug delivery nanotechnologies for cancer therapy.
Review
Polymer Science
Shuo Zhou, Min Zeng, Yanlin Liu, Xiaofeng Sui, Jinying Yuan
Summary: With reversible deactivated radical polymerization techniques, polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has become a convenient method for preparing block copolymer nanoparticles in situ with high concentrations. These nanoparticles have wide potential applications in nanomedicine, coatings, nanomanufacture, and Pickering emulsions. By introducing stimulus responsiveness into PISA nanoparticles, Pickering emulsions stabilized with these nanoparticles can exhibit smart behaviors, allowing reversible emulsification and demulsification. This review focuses on recent progress in Pickering emulsions stabilized by stimuli-responsive PISA nanoparticles, discussing factors affecting the stability during emulsification and demulsification, as well as exploring applications in antibacterial agents, diphase reaction platforms, and multi-emulsions. The future developments and applications of stimuli-responsive Pickering emulsions stabilized by PISA nanoparticles are also highlighted.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Moritz S. Muthwill, Phally Kong, Ionel Adrian Dinu, Danut Necula, Christoph John, Cornelia G. Palivan
Summary: This article reviews the application of polymer nanoassemblies in the design of theranostic systems. By selecting systems that are responsive to environmental changes and incorporating inorganic nanoparticles, polymer nanoassemblies with multifunctional therapeutic and/or diagnostic features can be customized. In addition, more complex structures such as multicompartments are also discussed.
MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haiyang Zhang, Xuan Feng, Xiuyang Xia, Jiao Zhu, Huaguang Wang, Ran Ni, Zexin Zhang
Summary: The self-assembly of hybrid colloids, driven by chemical concentration gradients generated by photocatalytic reactions, is investigated. Different shapes of the colloids lead to the formation of assemblies with distinct lattice structures, validated by computer simulations. Moreover, the assemblies transition from lattices to chains as the attraction between the colloids increases. These findings demonstrate the unique capability of photoresponsive hybrid colloids in shape-dependent self-assembly, offering a practical and versatile approach to control self-assembly at the microscale.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adrian Moreno, Jinrong Liu, Robin Gueret, Seyed Ehsan Hadi, Lennart Bergstrom, Adam Slabon, Mika H. Sipponen
Summary: The study demonstrates that controlling the degree of esterification can significantly improve the stability of lignin oleate nanoparticles under acidic and basic conditions. The high stability is attributed to the alkyl chains accumulated in the shell of the particle, delaying protonation/deprotonation of carboxylic acid and phenolic hydroxyl groups. Through enhanced stability, acid- and base-catalyzed functionalization of the nanoparticles were successfully performed at pH 2.0 and pH 12.0.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diogo E. P. Pinto, Petr Sulc, Francesco Sciortino, John Russo
Summary: The control over self-assembly of complex structures, particularly at the colloidal scale, has been a significant challenge in material science. The formation of amorphous aggregates often disrupts the desired assembly pathway. In this study, we investigate the self-assembly problem of three Archimedean shells using patchy particles as model building blocks. By recasting the assembly problem as a Boolean satisfiability problem, we find effective designs and selectively suppress unwanted structures.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
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
Wesley Flavell, Andreas Neophytou, Angela Demetriadou, Tim Albrecht, Dwaipayan Chakrabarti
Summary: This article presents a method for programmed self-assembly of single colloidal gyroid crystals using rationally designed patchy spheres. The single colloidal gyroid has a wide photonic bandgap and rich chiroptical properties, making it an attractive chiral photonic crystal.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johannes Menath, Jack Eatson, Robert Brilmayer, Annette Andrieu-Brunsen, D. Martin A. Buzza, Nicolas Vogel
Summary: Researchers have successfully designed two-dimensional assemblies with structural complexity by utilizing the distinct interfacial morphology of soft particles. They found that core-shell particles can form complex chain and cluster structures under interfacial compression. Through a combination of experimental, simulation, and theoretical analysis, the interaction parameter of the system was narrowed down to between 0.9 and 2.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yawen Li, Tengfei Li, Jiayu Wang, Xiaowei Zhan, Yuze Lin
Summary: In this study, a novel reaction-inert material PDIEIE was designed and synthesized, which effectively improved the interface stability between the indium tin oxide electrode and photoactive materials, significantly enhancing the photo-stability performance of OSC devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yepin Zhao, Pei Cheng, Hangbo Yang, Minhuan Wang, Dong Meng, Yuan Zhu, Ran Zheng, Tengfei Li, Anni Zhang, Shaun Tan, Tianyi Huang, Jiming Bian, Xiaowei Zhan, Paul S. Weiss, Yang Yang
Summary: The commercialization of semitransparent organic photovoltaics (OPVs) is hindered by the conflict between average visible transmittance and power conversion efficiency for greenhouse applications. By incorporating a dual-function p-type compatible interlayer, both the light transmittance and power conversion efficiency of semitransparent devices were improved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuixing Dai, Mengyang Li, Jingming Xin, Guanyu Lu, Peiyao Xue, Yong Zhao, Yang Liu, Mingliang Sun, Liangmin Yu, Zheng Tang, Guanghao Lu, Wei Ma, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: Utilizing dual nonfullerene acceptors Y6:FINIC and polymer donor PM6, we fabricated efficient organic solar cells with improved charge transport and enhanced performance. The compatibility of FINIC with PM6 and Y6 contributed to efficient charge transport, resulting in increased power conversion efficiency in both sequential-process heterojunction and bulk heterojunction OSCs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peiyao Xue, Pei Cheng, Ray P. S. Han, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: Organic solar cells (OSCs) based on a bulk heterojunction structure have inherent advantages, but face efficiency loss challenges when scaling up to large areas. Research on large-area OSCs using non-fullerene acceptors has increased recently. Fabrication technology, equipment development, and device component processing strategy are crucial in upscaling OSCs.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zemin Wang, Guilong Cai, Jiayu Wang, Mengyang Li, Boyu Jia, Peiyao Xue, Xinhui Lu, Zheng Tang, Guojie Wang, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: Molecular symmetry has slight effects on the absorption spectra, energy levels, and bandgaps, but notable effects on crystallinity, molecular packing, film morphology, and device performance. F7TC-1- and F7TC-2-based organic solar cells show significantly different power conversion efficiencies, mainly due to differences in molecular packing and film morphology.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiayu Wang, Peiyao Xue, Yiting Jiang, Yong Huo, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: Fused-ring electron acceptors (FREAs) with high tunability and excellent properties have revolutionized the field of organic solar cells. FREAs have achieved remarkable efficiencies of over 20% and potential operational lifetimes of up to 10 years.
NATURE REVIEWS CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yifan Wang, Michael B. Price, Raja Sekhar Bobba, Heng Lu, Jingwei Xue, Yilin Wang, Mengyang Li, Aleksandra Ilina, Paul A. Hume, Boyu Jia, Tengfei Li, Yuchen Zhang, Nathaniel J. L. K. Davis, Zheng Tang, Wei Ma, Quinn Qiao, Justin M. Hodgkiss, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: In contrast to classical bulk heterojunction (BHJ) in organic solar cells (OSCs), the quasi-homojunction (QHJ) with extremely low donor content (<= 10 wt.%) is unusual and generally yields much lower device efficiency. However, by selecting appropriate polymer donors and nonfullerene acceptors, high-efficiency QHJ devices can be fabricated by generating free charges in the acceptor domains.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Heng Lu, Kai Chen, Raja Sekhar Bobba, Jiangjian Shi, Mengyang Li, Yilin Wang, Jingwei Xue, Peiyao Xue, Xiaojian Zheng, Karen E. Thorn, Isabella Wagner, Chao-Yang Lin, Yin Song, Wei Ma, Zheng Tang, Qingbo Meng, Quinn Qiao, Justin M. Hodgkiss, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: This study presents a facile strategy to enhance the exciton/charge transport of PM6:Y6-based organic solar cells (OSCs) by using a solid additive, trans-bis(dimesitylboron)stilbene (BBS). The addition of BBS improves the exciton diffusion and charge generation, enhances the crystallization of Y6, and improves the charge-carrier diffusion length. This leads to a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.6% in the PM6:Y6:BBS devices compared to the devices without BBS (16.2%).
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zemin Wang, Guilong Cai, Peiyao Xue, Zesheng Liu, Boyu Jia, Nan Li, Jiayu Wang, Xinhui Lu, Yuze Lin, Guojie Wang, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: Replacing pyrrole ring with pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole in unidirectionally extended fused-ring electron acceptors significantly improves their performance. The designed nonfullerene acceptors 1PIC and 2PIC have red-shifted absorption peak, higher energy levels, and improved electron mobility. Photovoltaic devices based on the blend of PM6 donor and 2PIC acceptor achieve a higher power conversion efficiency due to more efficient exciton generation and dissociation, faster and more balanced carrier transport, and less charge recombination.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Yuan Xie, Wansheng Liu, Wanyuan Deng, Haimei Wu, Weiping Wang, Yichuan Si, Xiaowei Zhan, Chao Gao, Xian-Kai Chen, Hongbin Wu, Junbiao Peng, Yong Cao
Summary: This study reports on the potential applications of high-efficiency organic light-emitting diodes (OLEG) in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) region. By using specific types of molecules, researchers have successfully fabricated high radiance SWIR OLEGs, which have various applications in biosensors, biomedical imaging and spectroscopy, and surveillance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sai Shruthi Murali, Joseph K. Gallaher, Celine Janiseck, Elliot J. Tay, Isabella Wagner, Karen E. Thorn, Aleksandra Ilina, Ronnie R. Tamming, Jiayu Wang, Clement Sester, Joshua J. Sutton, Michael B. Price, Keith C. Gordon, Kai Chen, Xiaowei Zhan, Justin M. Hodgkiss, Paul A. Hume
Summary: The control over singlet and triplet exciton populations is crucial for organic semiconductor technologies. This study investigates the rate of intersystem crossing (ISC) and demonstrates the occurrence of intramolecular triplet formation in both solution and solid state. It is found that structural distortions in disordered films lead to increased spin-orbit coupling, enabling rapid ISC. The proposal also reveals the role of rotational flexibility and conformational disorder in accelerating ISC. Overall, this work sheds light on the factors affecting ISC and provides a framework for molecular control over spin states.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiang-Yang Shao, Dongmei Li, Jiangjian Shi, Chuang Ma, Yousheng Wang, Xiaomin Liu, Xianyuan Jiang, Mengmeng Hao, Luozheng Zhang, Chang Liu, Yiting Jiang, Zhenhan Wang, Yu-Wu Zhong, Shengzhong Frank Liu, Yaohua Mai, Yongsheng Liu, Yixin Zhao, Zhijun Ning, Lianzhou Wang, Baomin Xu, Lei Meng, Zuqiang Bian, Ziyi Ge, Xiaowei Zhan, Jingbi You, Yongfang Li, Qingbo Meng
Summary: This review provides a summary of the recent major advances in the research of perovskite solar cells from a material science perspective. It covers topics such as different types of perovskite materials, defects, charge transport materials, counter electrodes, and interfacial materials. It also discusses the limitations and future prospects for the development of perovskite solar cells.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Peiyao Xue, Jingming Xin, Guanyu Lu, Boyu Jia, Heng Lu, Guanghao Lu, Wei Ma, Ray P. S. Han, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: This study investigated the performance evaluation parameters of semitransparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs), namely, the average visible transmittance (AVT) and power conversion efficiency (PCE). By reducing the donor content, light absorption in the visible region can be decreased and the AVT values of ST-OSCs can be increased. However, a lower donor content affects exciton generation, exciton dissociation, and charge transport, thereby limiting the PCEs of the cells.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guilong Cai, Zeng Chen, Tengfei Li, Xinxin Xia, Yuang Fu, Luhang Xu, Weijie Chi, Jianqi Zhang, Haiming Zhu, Xiaowei Zhan, Xinhui Lu
Summary: Designing a new non-fullerene acceptor BOEH-4Cl and predicting its performance using theoretical calculations, this study demonstrated the potential of utilizing chemical calculations in the design process. The optimized BOEH-4Cl film showed improved properties, making it a promising acceptor for organic solar cells.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pei Cheng, Xingang Zhao, Xiaowei Zhan
Summary: Perylene diimide (PDI) has various advantages and is widely used in organic electronic and photonic devices. PDI-based oligomers and polymers are important in solar cells and field-effect transistors, as they offer unique properties and advantages compared to other materials.
ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2022)
