Article
Polymer Science
Xing Ou-Yang, Yi-Cin Huang, Ying-Chi Chi, Mayumi Egashira, Hao-Chun Yang, Hsiu-Hui Chen
Summary: Novel discotic liquid crystalline (DLC) monomers with a mesogenic 2,8,14-triphenylhexabenzo[bc,ef,hi,kl,no,qr]coronene (HBC) core bearing alternating dovetailed alkyl and linear alkyl chains with a diacetylenic unit at different positions along the chain were successfully synthesized in this study. These monomers exhibited a discotic hexagonal columnar mesophase at room temperature. Depending on the location of the diacetylene unit in the linear alkyl chain (closer to or farther away from the HBC core), different aggregation patterns and reactivities toward photo-induced polymerization were observed. Powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, UV spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering were used to characterize these systems.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
K. Swamynathan, Sreeja Sasidharan, V. A. Raghunathan, Sandeep Kumar
Summary: This report discusses the mesomorphic behavior and lamellar structure of complexes involving triphenylene and double tail surfactants synthesized through the ionic self-assembly route, as well as the amphotropic nature of these complexes.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinyi Yu, Valerii V. Vashchenko, Maksym F. Prodanov, Abhishek Kumar Srivastava
Summary: This study presents a vertical alignment material using alkylphosphonic acid that provides good vertical alignment for liquid crystals with simple room temperature treatments. The proposed material shows decent electro-optical properties and great compatibility with flexible substrates.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bin Mu, Tianshu Ma, Zhelin Zhang, Xiangnan Hao, Liang Wang, Jingxia Wang, Hongxia Yan, Wei Tian
Summary: A thermo-induced bathochromic emission in columnar discotic liquid crystals is reported, achieved by intramolecular planarization of the mesogenic fluorophores. This work provides a new concept in the thermochromic field and a novel strategy for fluorescence tuning.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paulina Rybak, Adam Krowczynski, Jadwiga Szydlowska, Damian Pociecha, Ewa Gorecka
Summary: A new type of 3D columnar phase with a large unit cell and Fddd lattice is reported, resulting from the arrangement of helical columns of opposite chiralities into a triangular lattice. The fluorescence properties of the studied materials can be easily tuned by modifying the molecular structure.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shruti Rani, Santosh Prasad Gupta, Monika Gupta, Santanu Kumar Pal
Summary: This article discusses the design and development of a discotic triad consisting of perylene sandwiched between two pentaalkynyl benzene units connected by a flexible alkyl spacer. The compound exhibits a columnar oblique (Colob) mesophase with stable properties over a wide temperature range. The photophysical behavior of the compound in solvents of varying polarity shows positive solvatochromism, making it potentially useful in fluorescence imaging and optoelectronic organic materials.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maria Barcenilla, Maria Jesus Baena, Bertrand Donnio, Benoit Heinrich, Lucia Gutierrez, Silverio Coco, Pablo Espinet
Summary: This study reports on the mesomorphic behavior and thermochromic properties of benzylethylammonium salts with specific structural units and different counterions, as well as their ability to form stable and homogeneous Langmuir and nanostructured LB films.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jin Young Oh, Eun-Mi Kim, Gi-Seok Heo, Dong Hyun Kim, DongWook Lee, Hae-Chang Jeong, Dae-Shik Seo
Summary: The present study demonstrates that ultraviolet-nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) can be used to transfer a one-dimensional nano-pattern onto a high-k aluminum oxide thin film mixed with a UV photocuring agent. The imprinted nano-patterns induce geometric deformations in liquid crystal, creating collective and elastic properties that guide homogeneous alignment. The nanoimprint method allows for easier, faster, and more accurate processing of a large area compared to conventional rubbing methods. Additionally, the optical properties of the nano-imprinted aluminum oxide thin film are superior to conventional commercialized cells, significantly affecting the luminance and color gamut of displays.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jody A. M. Lugger, Patricia P. Marin San Roman, Camiel C. E. Kroonen, Rint P. Sijbesma
Summary: A photoresponsive nanoporous polymer film was successfully produced, with azobenzoic acid undergoing trans-cis and cis-trans photoisomerizations. The cis isomer exhibited faster dye absorption kinetics, suggesting potential applications in molecular separation and sensing.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
P. Priscilla, Praveen Malik, Supreet, Ajay Kumar, Riccardo Castagna, Gautam Singh
Summary: This review focuses on the alignment of liquid crystals (LCs) controlled by nanoparticles. It is found that doping nanoparticles in LCs or patterning nanostructures on substrates can achieve the desired alignment of LCs. Using nanoparticles for LC alignment has similar quality to conventional alignment techniques, but it is less time consuming and cost-effective. Furthermore, nanoparticles can greatly improve the electro-optical properties of LC devices.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN SOLID STATE AND MATERIALS SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Indu Bala, Joydip De, Santosh Prasad Gupta, Upendra Kumar Pandey, Santanu Kumar Pal
Summary: The study explores hydrogen-bonded C-3 symmetrical discotic liquid crystals forming segregated columnar assembly, with particular focus on a new heptazine core for developing functional supramolecular materials. Among the complexes studied, some demonstrate efficient ambipolar charge transport, showing potential for commercial organic electronics applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
H. T. Srinivasa, S. Hariprasad
Summary: This study reports the synthesis and characterization of two sets of triphenylene derived discotic molecules with phenol, aldehyde, and acid functional groups. The molecules in the first set were tethered with benzene derivatives via an ester linkage, while in the second set, they were tethered via an ether linkage with increased aromatic conjugation. The thermal and liquid crystal properties of these molecules were analyzed, and their charge transfer complexes with trinitrofluorenone exhibited columnar mesophases.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kamal Allahyarli, Michael R. Reithofer, Fei Cheng, Adam J. Young, Endre Kiss, Tristan Tsai Yuan Tan, Alexander Prado-Roller, Jia Min Chin
Summary: This study successfully achieved the orientation and assembly of metal-organic framework (MOF) crystals through the strategy of E-field assisted liquid crystal assembly, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods and providing a new approach for the development of highly oriented MOF composites with improved functionality.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sivakumar Irla, Mahesh Pruthvi, V. A. Raghunathan, Sandeep Kumar
Summary: In recent years, significant progress has been made in designing new liquid crystalline materials, particularly disc-shaped molecules with rigid π-conjugated structures as active components for electronic devices. A new class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons derived from pyrene core was synthesized and found to exhibit hexagonal columnar mesophase. Pyrene derivatives, widely explored as novel dyes, may find applications in various optoelectronic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Ahad O. Alsahli, Andrew N. Cammidge
Summary: Nematic mesophase formation in disc-like systems can be predicted and controlled by choosing the structure of the bridge. The degree of bending in the bridge determines the separation and conformational freedom of the discotic molecules, thus affecting the formation of nematic mesophases.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matteo Baldoni, Francesco Mercuri, Massimiliano Cavallini
Summary: The article demonstrates a new method for surface atom manipulation using a coordination compound for atomic-scale fabrication, overcoming the limitations of traditional scanning probe microscopy techniques.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
P. Stoliar, O. Schneegans, M. J. Rozenberg
Summary: This study investigates the minimal recurrent spiking neural network of a single neuron with an autaptic synapse, implemented in solid state using an ultracompact neuron model based on the memristive properties of a thyristor. By controlling feedback, they explore the systematic behavior and dynamic memory of the network, replicating experimentally observed behavior of biological autapse. This work lays the foundation for solid-state neuroscience research using the ultracompact neuron as a platform.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Ankit Jain, Annalisa Calo, Damia Barcelo, Mohit Kumar
Summary: Supramolecular chemistry, as the backbone of biological processes, can be deeply analyzed through advanced analytical techniques. This review introduces the use of such techniques in investigating various supramolecular systems and critically analyzes the current state and future development of analytical techniques. Integrating multiple analytical methods into a common platform could create new possibilities for developing functional chemical systems.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kateryna Solodka, Marcello Berto, Diana Ferraro, Claudia Menozzi, Marco Borsari, Carlo A. Bortolotti, Fabio Biscarini, Marcello Pinti
Summary: Neurofilament light chain (NF-L) has emerged as a biomarker for neurological disorders. This study presents a method for detecting and quantifying NF-L in aqueous solutions using an organic electronic device. The biosensor shows high sensitivity and selectivity, making it a promising tool for diagnosing and monitoring neuronal damages.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gioacchino Calandra Sebastianella, Michele Di Lauro, Mauro Murgia, Michele Bianchi, Stefano Carli, Michele Zoli, Luciano Fadiga, Fabio Biscarini
Summary: This study demonstrates an artificial synapse made of intracortical microelectrodes that exhibits either depressive or facilitative short-term plasticity (STP), controlled by the frequency of the input voltage. The proposed RLC circuit, including an inductance component, explains the physical origin of the observed STP and its two timescales related to charge accumulation in PEDOT/PSS.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Massimiliano Cavallini, Denis Gentili
Summary: Structural defects in materials have a significant impact on their physical properties and can generate various functionalities, making them valuable for technological applications. This review focuses on the properties generated by atomic vacancies in 2D compounds and thin films of transition metal dichalcogenides, discussing their formation methods, engineering approaches, advantages, limitations, and current challenges.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michele Di Lauro, Elena Zucchini, Anna De Salvo, Emanuela Delfino, Michele Bianchi, Mauro Murgia, Stefano Carli, Fabio Biscarini, Luciano Fadiga
Summary: This study presents a novel operational mode, the common-drain/grounded-source configuration, for electrolyte-gated organic transistors to address the safety and stability issues in clinical settings. The configuration achieves maximum signal amplification while applying null net bias across the electrolyte, with no parasitic currents. The viability of this configuration is demonstrated by recording in vivo the somatosensory evoked activity in rats.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Sylvie Deborde, Laxmi Gusain, Ann Powers, Andrea Marcadis, Yasong Yu, Chun-Hao Chen, Anna Frants, Elizabeth Kao, Laura H. Tang, Efsevia Vakiani, Masataka Amisaki, Vinod P. Balachandran, Annalisa Calo, Tatiana Omelchenko, Kristjan R. Jessen, Boris Reva, Richard J. Wong
Summary: Nerves activated by cancer cells, known as tumor-activated Schwann cell tracks (TAST), play a significant role in promoting cancer cell migration and invasion. These tracks, formed by nonmyelinating Schwann cells, serve as cancer pathways and enhance cancer motility.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Akhil Venugopal, Lorena Ruiz-Perez, K. Swamynathan, Chidambar Kulkarni, Annalisa Calo, Mohit Kumar
Summary: Supramolecular systems chemistry is a thriving field of research focused on developing nanomaterials with lifelike functions. Progress in this field relies on our ability to study the formation of nanostructures in solution. Visualizing the dynamic transformation of these structures over time is often challenging, requiring a shift from dry imaging techniques to solution-based ones. In this review, we discuss the application of state-of-the-art techniques such as optical super-resolution microscopy, solution-state atomic force microscopy, liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and other emerging techniques for real-time, in situ visualization of dynamic self-assembly processes. This review provides valuable insights and a visionary approach to exploring the potential of dynamic nanomaterials.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edoardo Albisetti, Annalisa Calo, Alessandra Zanut, Xiaorui Zheng, Giuseppe Maria de Peppo, Elisa Riedo
Summary: Thermal Scanning Probe Lithography (tSPL) is a nanofabrication method that allows for chemical and physical nanopatterning of various materials with high resolution. This Primer provides an overview of the working principles, features, applications, and limitations of tSPL, as well as potential strategies for improvement.
NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alex Boschi, Simone Cinili, Eva Bystrenova, Giampiero Ruani, Jessica Groppi, Alberto Credi, Massimo Baroncini, Andrea Candini, Denis Gentili, Massimiliano Cavallini
Summary: In this study, we utilized the photoisomerization of azobenzene compound triggered by UV light and thermal treatment to fabricate multimodal readable and rewritable data matrix-based devices. The UV light sensing capabilities were monitored through changes in optical, spectroscopic, and electrical properties. By integrating tetra(azobenzene)methane crystals in micrometric tags, the information could be modified and repristinated through local UV treatment and thermal annealing.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marianna Barbalinardo, Jessika Bertacchini, Linda Bergamini, Maria Sara Magaro, Luca Ortolani, Alessandra Sanson, Carla Palumbo, Massimiliano Cavallini, Denis Gentili
Summary: The surface properties of nanoparticles can be effectively regulated by controlling the surface ligand density, which in turn affects serum protein adsorption, cellular uptake, and cytotoxicity. Tuning the surface properties allows for the control of biological outcomes by regulating the ability of nanoparticles to adsorb serum proteins.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Massimiliano Cavallini, Ilse Manet, Marco Brucale, Laura Favaretto, Manuela Melucci, Lucia Maini, Fabiola Liscio, Michele della Ciana, Denis Gentili
Summary: Rubbing was used on thiophene-based organic semiconductor thin films to induce reversible mechanical amorphisation, which is associated with fluorescence switching regulated by the film's polymorphic nature. Thermal annealing of the films produced an opposite effect, inducing film crystallization starting at a low temperature and generating a stable polymorph at high temperatures in the bulk. The mechanism of mechanical transformation was explained considering the material's mechanical properties and demonstrated through X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and photoluminescence at confocal microscopy.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vanesa Quintano, Alessandro Kovtun, Fabio Biscarini, Fabiola Liscio, Andrea Liscio, Vincenzo Palermo
Summary: By triggering with an electric bias, we demonstrated ion transport on graphene oxide membranes (GOMs) at the centimeter scale, as well as the aggregation of selected ions in salt crystals within the GOM channels. This highlights the difference between the chemical environment in the 2D channels and in bulk solutions.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matteo Sensi, Marcello Berto, Sara Gentile, Marcello Pinti, Andrea Conti, Giovanni Pellacani, Carlo Salvarani, Andrea Cossarizza, Carlo Augusto Bortolotti, Fabio Biscarini
Summary: The study presented a novel immunosensor for the quantitative and selective detection of ADAs against a drug, which may enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatment.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
