Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zuochen Wang, Zhisheng Wang, Jiahui Li, Yufeng Wang
Summary: Colloidal particles with surface patches can self-assemble with high directionality but must be reconfigured using external fields. By synthesizing metallodielectric patchy particles and assembling them under an electric field, we have achieved structures directed by patches yet reconfigurable by the field.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreas Neophytou, Dwaipayan Chakrabarti, Francesco Sciortino
Summary: The study demonstrates that a two-component system of tetrahedral patchy particles, where bonding is allowed only between particles of different types to select even-member rings, can more easily achieve self-assembly into diamond crystals. The crystallization process in the two-component system is thermodynamically and kinetically enhanced.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Sanjib Paul, Harish Vashisth
Summary: The simulation studies investigated the self-assembly of a binary mixture of snowman and dumbbell shaped lobed particles, revealing different self-assembled structures depending on lobe size and temperature. Porosities of the structures were influenced by temperature and lobe size, with smaller lobes producing structures with larger pores. The parameter sigma in the potential impacted the morphologies and porosities of the self-assembled structures, with higher sigma values producing larger pores.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andreas Neophytou, Vinothan N. Manoharan, Dwaipayan Chakrabarti
Summary: Through a computational approach, we address the challenges of design principles, self-assembly pathways, and stability of the photonic band gap. We establish the design principles for the rod-connected diamond structure (RCD) and devise two distinct self-assembly routes, showing how these routes avoid metastable amorphous phases. Finally, we demonstrate that both polymorphs support spectrally overlapping photonic band gaps.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hua Zhu, Zhaochuan Fan, Siyuan Song, Dennis Eggert, Yuzi Liu, Wenwu Shi, Yucheng Yuan, Kyung-Suk Kim, Michael Grunwald, Ou Chen
Summary: Advances in synthesis and self-assembly techniques of nanocrystals have allowed researchers to create various nanoparticle superlattices. However, achieving rotational order of nanoparticle building blocks within the lattice has proven to be more challenging. In this study, a combination of experiments and molecular dynamics simulations was used to investigate the self-assembly of heterostructural nanocrystals (HNCs). The self-assembled HNCs formed face-centered-cubic superlattices with well-defined orientational relationships between the atomic lattices of the quantum dot hosts and gold patches. The study provides a strategy for designing and fabricating nanocrystal superlattices with complex structures and delicate orientational order.
Article
Polymer Science
Weisheng Feng, Liquan Wang, Yisheng Lv, Fan Liu, Shaoliang Lin
Summary: A crosslinking strategy was proposed for the stepwise self-assembly of rod-coil diblock copolymers, which can lead to complex materials with hierarchical structures. Computational study revealed that the structure of transient patchy particles and the morphology of hierarchical aggregates are determined by the crosslinking number and rod block length. The packing parameter of temporary patchy particles was found to effectively predict the geometry of hierarchical aggregates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vikki Anand Varma, Jaskaran Singh, Sujin B. B. Babu
Summary: Synthesizing thin films using self assembly is an important challenge for making engineered materials for applications such as photonics and filtration. In this study, a simple model of prolate ellipsoidal particles with two directional bonds was presented and their phase behavior was examined using Monte Carlo simulation. It was found that anisotropic particles with patches can form two different types of 3D ordered structures, along with a thermodynamically stable monolayer. The phase diagram suggests that the desired 2D superstructure can be achieved through self assembly.
ADVANCED THEORY AND SIMULATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
You-Jin Kim, Jeong-Bin Moon, Hyerim Hwang, Youn Soo Kim, Gi-Ra Yi
Summary: Significant progress has been made in the synthesis and assembly of patchy colloidal clusters in recent years. These clusters, through a DNA-mediated interlocking process, can form directional bonding with specific rotation angles, and have potential applications in photonic crystals, metamaterials, topological photonic insulators, and separation membranes.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Christian Hils, Ian Manners, Judith Schobel, Holger Schmalz
Summary: Crystallization-driven self-assembly is a powerful method for producing one- and two-dimensional micellar assemblies with controlled length, shape, and corona chemistries, with potential applications in various fields. Patchy micelles with crystalline cores offer advantages in terms of interfacial activity, functionalization, and confinement effects due to their unique corona segmentation structure.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Peilong Li, Arkaye Kierulf, Judith Whaley, James Smoot, Mariana Perez Herrera, Alireza Abbaspourrad
Summary: In this study, starch with a heterogeneous pattern was created by physically fusing particles with different charges. The texture of starch slurries could be fine-tuned by manipulating the degree of patchiness and charge density. Environmental factors also had an impact on the texture of starch.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Peilong Li, Arkaye Kierulf, Junyi Wang, Mohammad Yaghoobi, Judith Whaley, James Smoot, Mariana Perez Herrera, Alireza Abbaspourrad
Summary: This study developed starch-based patchy particles as a texturizer in food, which showed improved thickening ability and water-holding capacity. The modified starches with different charges were able to form a corona-shaped patchy structure through electrostatic interaction, resulting in enhanced viscoelasticity and improved texture of the food.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Chun Yin Jerry Lau, Enrico Mastrobattista
Summary: Self-assembling peptides are a prominent class of supramolecular materials with good biocompatibility. Significant progress has been made in studying the supramolecular organization of peptide assemblies to control material properties. Peptide self-assembly is a complex pathway governed by the assembly pathway.
CURRENT OPINION IN COLLOID & INTERFACE SCIENCE
(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)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Katarina Gvozden, Sanja Novak Ratajczak, Alberto G. Orellana, Emmanuel Kentzinger, Ulrich Rucker, Jan K. G. Dhont, Cristiano De Michele, Emmanuel Stiakakis
Summary: Stiff DNA fragments can self-assemble into various smectic mesophases in concentrated aqueous solutions by selectively screening blunt-end DNA stacking interactions. The strength of attractions can be controlled to stabilize different phases, demonstrating the potential for precise tuning of DNA blunt-ends as monovalent attractive patches in the assembly of nonconventional DNA-based liquid crystal phases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sankha Shuvra Das, Gilad Yossifon
Summary: Self-propelling active particles are being researched for their potential biomedical and environmental applications. This study demonstrates the use of optically patterned electrodes and a digital micromirror device (DMD) to dynamically control the movement of self-propelling particles. By manipulating multiple particles simultaneously, stable active structures can be created with precise control, allowing for programmable and parallel operation.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiping Yin, Zhe Wang, Hua Zou
Summary: This study presents a novel method for preparing dimpled polymer-silica nanocomposite particles using interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization. The optimized conditions allow for a relatively high percentage of dimpled particles to be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brenden D. Hoehn, Elizabeth A. Kellstedt, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Porous materials with nanometer-scale pores have important applications as nanoporous membranes. In this study, ABA triblock copolymers were used as precursors to produce nanoporous polymeric membranes (NPMs) in thin film form by degrading the end blocks. Polycyclooctene (PCOE) NPMs with tunable pore sizes were successfully prepared using solvent casting technique. Oxygen plasma etching was employed to improve the surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. This study provides a straightforward method to produce tough NPMs with high porosity and hydrophilic surface properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vladislav S. Petrovskii, Stepan I. Zholudev, Igor I. Potemkin
Summary: This article investigates the behavior of linear and ring polypeptide chains in aqueous solution and explores the properties of the complexes formed by these chains with oppositely charged surfactants. The results demonstrate that the complexes of linear supercharged unfolded polypeptides and the corresponding surfactants exhibit impressive adhesive properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Merve Cevik, Serkan Dikici
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, and vascular grafts are a promising treatment option. This study focuses on tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) using decellularized parsley stems as a potential biomaterial. The decellularized parsley stems showed suitable properties for TEVGs, providing a suitable environment for human endothelial cells to form a pseudo endothelium. This study showcases the potential of using parsley stems for TEVGs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gustavo A. Vasquez-Montoya, Tadej Emersic, Noe Atzin, Antonio Tavera-Vazquez, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Orlando Guzman, Alexey Snezhko, Paul F. Nealey, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The optical properties of liquid crystals are typically controlled by electric fields. In this study, we investigate the effects of microfluidic flows and acoustic fields on the molecular orientation and optical response of nematic liquid crystals. We identify several previously unknown structures and explain them through calculations and simulations. These findings hold promise for the development of new systems combining sound, flow, and confinement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinjun Wu, Xin Guan, Shushu Chen, Jiangpeng Jia, Chongyi Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Chuanzhuang Zhao
Summary: This research presents a novel shape memory hydrogel with a remodelable permanent shape and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior. The hydrogel is prepared using specific treatment methods to achieve shape fixation by heating and shape recovery by cooling. Additionally, deformable devices can be obtained by assembling hydrogel blocks with different concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca Hengsbach, Gerhard Fink, Ulrich Simon
Summary: This study examines the properties of DNA functionalized pNipmam microgels and pure pNipmam microgels at different concentrations of sodium chloride and in PBS solutions using temperature dependent H-1-NMR measurements. The results show that DNA modification affects the volume phase transition temperature and the addition of salt and PBS further enhances this effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ningyi Li, Junhong Li, Lijingting Qing, Shicheng Ma, Yao Li, Baohui Li
Summary: This paper investigates the self-assembly behavior of colloids with competing interactions under spherical confinement and finds that different ordered structures can be formed under different sized spherical confinements. Moreover, more perforated structures are formed in smaller spheres.
