scholarly journals Dodecagonal quasicrystals of oil-swollen ionic surfactant micelles

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (31) ◽  
pp. e2101598118
Author(s):  
Ashish Jayaraman ◽  
Carlos M. Baez-Cotto ◽  
Tyler J. Mann ◽  
Mahesh K. Mahanthappa
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Noncovalent Interactions ◽  
Rotational Symmetry ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Ionic Surfactant ◽  
Surfactant Micelles ◽  
Σ Phase ◽  
Periodic Arrays ◽  
Spherical Micelles ◽  
Block Complexity

A delicate balance of noncovalent interactions directs the hierarchical self-assembly of molecular amphiphiles into spherical micelles that pack into three-dimensional periodic arrays, which mimic intermetallic crystals. Herein, we report the discovery that adding water to a mixture of an ionic surfactant and n-decane induces aperiodic ordering of oil-swollen spherical micelles into previously unrecognized, aqueous lyotropic dodecagonal quasicrystals (DDQCs), which exhibit local 12-fold rotational symmetry and no long-range translational order. The emergence of these DDQCs at the nexus of dynamically arrested micellar glasses and a periodic Frank–Kasper (FK) σ phase approximant sensitively depends on the mixing order of molecular constituents in the assembly process and on sample thermal history. Addition of n-decane to mixtures of surfactant and water instead leads only to periodic FK A15 and σ approximants with no evidence for aperiodic order, while extended ambient temperature annealing of the DDQC also reveals its transformation into a σ phase. Thus, these lyotropic DDQCs are long-lived metastable morphologies, which nucleate and grow from a stochastic distribution of micelle sizes formed by abrupt segregation of varied amounts of oil into surfactant micelles on hydration. These findings indicate that molecular building block complexity is not a prerequisite for the formation of aperiodic supramolecular order, while also establishing the generic nature of quasicrystalline states across metal alloys and self-assembled micellar materials.

Controllable Synthesis of Cobalt Porphyrin Nanocrystals through Micelle Confinement Self-Assembly

MRS Advances ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (42) ◽  
pp. 2147-2155
Author(s):  
Sudi Chen ◽  
Xitong Ren ◽  
Shufang Tian ◽  
Jiajie Sun ◽  
Feng Bai
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Water Oxidation ◽  
Separation Efficiency ◽  
Noncovalent Interactions ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
The Self ◽  
Hexagonal Prism ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Surfactant Micelles ◽  
Cobalt Porphyrin

AbstractThe self-assembly of optically active building blocks into functional nanocrystals as high-activity photocatalysts is a key in the field of photocatalysis. Cobalt porphyrin with abundant catalytic properties is extensively studied in photocatalytic water oxidation and CO2 reduction. Here, we present the fabrication of cobalt porphyrin nanocrystals through a surfactant-assisted interfacial self-assembly process using Co-tetra(4-pyridyl) porphyrin as building block. The self-assembly process relies on the combined noncovalent interactions such as π-π stacking and axial Co-N coordination between individual porphyrin molecules within surfactant micelles. Tuning different reaction conditions (temperature, the ratio of co-solvent DMF) and types of surfactant, various nanocrystals with well-defined 1D to 3D morphologies such as nanowires, nanorods and nano hexagonal prism were obtained. Due to the ordered accumulation of molecules, the nanocrystals exhibit the properties of the enhanced capability of visible light capture and can conduce to improve the transport and separation efficiency of the photogenerated carriers, which is important for photocatalysis. Further studies of photocatalytic CO2 reduction are being performed to address the relationship between the size and shape of the nanocrystals with the photocatalytic activity.

scholarly journals Self-assembly of biopolymer films for UV protection of wood

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Ivana Fabijanic ◽  
Aída Ninfa Salinas López ◽  
Long Pan ◽  
Chi-Yuan Cheng ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Radical ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Free Radical Scavenger ◽  
Radical Scavenger ◽  
Ionic Surfactant ◽  
Reducing Ability ◽  
Alternative Material ◽  
Physical And Chemical

AbstractThere is an increasing need for materials with tunable physical and chemical properties that are relatively non-toxic and efficacious for their intended application. Many wood stains and finishes emit toxic chemicals which may have serious implications to one’s health. A novel alternative material is realized between xanthan gum and Neodol, a non-ionic surfactant. The resulting three-dimensional film is evaluated as a free-radical scavenger for the protection of wood at different ratios. Atomic force microscopy visualizes the topography and quantifies the local nanomechanics, while rheological measurements showcase a shift from viscoelastic material to gel. Electron plasmon resonance confirms the free-radical reducing ability (3.5 times), while liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy quantifies the UV degradation of sinapyl alcohol. This material has potential, not only in coating industries as a safer option, but also in those industries requiring flexibility and tenability, namely for biosensors and anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Graphic abstract

Structural characterization, gelation ability, and energy-framework analysis of two bis(long-chain ester)-substituted 4,4′-biphenyl compounds

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 791-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
David K. Geiger ◽  
H. Cristina Geiger ◽  
Shawn M. Moore ◽  
William R. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Noncovalent Interactions ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Dimensional Network ◽  
Dispersion Component ◽  
Structure Determinations ◽  
Phenyl Rings ◽  
Alcohol Solvents ◽  
Solid State Structures

There are few examples of single-crystal structure determinations of gelators, as gel formation requires that the dissolved gelator self-assemble into a three-dimensional network structure incorporating solvent via noncovalent interactions rather than self-assembly followed by crystallization. In the solid-state structures of the isostructural compounds 4,4′-bis[5-(methoxycarbonyl)pentyloxy]biphenyl (BBO6-Me), C26H34O6, and 4,4′-bis[5-(ethoxycarbonyl)pentyloxy]biphenyl (BBO6-Et), C28H38O6, the molecules sit on a crystallographically imposed center of symmetry, resulting in strictly coplanar phenyl rings. BBO6-Me behaves as an organogelator in various alcohol solvents, whereas BBO6-Et does not. The extended structure reveals bundles of molecules that form a columnar superstructure. Framework-energy calculations reveal much stronger interaction energies within the columns (−52 to −78 kJ mol−1) than between columns (−2 to −16 kJ mol−1). The intracolumnar interactions are dominated by a dispersion component, whereas the intercolumnar interactions have a substantial electrostatic component.

In vitro and in vivo polysaccharides assembly: ultrastructural and cytochemical study of growing plant cell wall components.

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-435
Author(s):  
D. Reis ◽  
B. Vian ◽  
J. C. Roland
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cytochemical Study ◽  
Wall Components

Wall morphogenesis in higher plants is a problem still open to controversy. Until now the possibility of a transmembrane control and the involvement of microtubules were mostly envisaged. Self-assembly processes have been observed in the case of walls of Chlamydomonas and bacteria. Spontaneous gelling interactions between xanthan and galactomannan from Ceratonia have been analyzed very recently. The present work provides indications that some processes of spontaneous aggregation could occur in higher plants during the formation and expansion of cell wall.Observations were performed on hypocotyl of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) for which growth characteristics and wall composition have been previously defined.In situ, the walls of actively growing cells (primary walls) show an ordered three-dimensional organization (fig. 1). The wall is typically polylamellate with multifibrillar layers alternately transverse and longitudinal. Between these layers intermediate strata exist in which the orientation of microfibrils progressively rotates. Thus a progressive change in the morphogenetic activity occurs.

Nanoscale Self-Assembly Using Ion and Electron Beam Techniques: A Rapid Review

MRS Advances ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (64) ◽  
pp. 3507-3520
Author(s):  
Chunhui Dai ◽  
Kriti Agarwal ◽  
Jeong-Hyun Cho
Keyword(s):  
Electron Beam ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
The Self ◽  
Stress Generation ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
High Yield ◽  
3D Nanostructures ◽  
Self Assembled

AbstractNanoscale self-assembly, as a technique to transform two-dimensional (2D) planar patterns into three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale architectures, has achieved tremendous success in the past decade. However, an assembly process at nanoscale is easily affected by small unavoidable variations in sample conditions and reaction environment, resulting in a low yield. Recently, in-situ monitored self-assembly based on ion and electron irradiation has stood out as a promising candidate to overcome this limitation. The usage of ion and electron beam allows stress generation and real-time observation simultaneously, which significantly enhances the controllability of self-assembly. This enables the realization of various complex 3D nanostructures with a high yield. The additional dimension of the self-assembled 3D nanostructures opens the possibility to explore novel properties that cannot be demonstrated in 2D planar patterns. Here, we present a rapid review on the recent achievements and challenges in nanoscale self-assembly using electron and ion beam techniques, followed by a discussion of the novel optical properties achieved in the self-assembled 3D nanostructures.

Structure and Dynamics of Spherical and Rodlike Alkyl Ethoxylate Surfactant Micelles Investigated Using NMR Relaxation and Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Edwards ◽  
Abdolreza Javidialesaadi ◽  
Katie Weigandt ◽  
George Stan ◽  
Charles Eads
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Nmr Relaxation ◽  
Cross Relaxation ◽  
Relaxation Rates ◽  
Surfactant Micelles ◽  
Cylindrical Micelles ◽  
Spherical Micelles ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Relative Motions

We study molecular arrangements and dynamics in alkyl ethoxylate nonionic surfactant micelles by combining high field (600 and 700 MHz) NMR relaxation measurements with large-scale atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. For spherical micelles, but not for cylindrical micelles, cross relaxation rates are positive only for surfactant alkyl tail atoms connected to the hydrophilic head group. All cross relaxation rates are negative for cylindrical micelles. This effect is reproducible either by changing composition (ratios of the nonionic surfactants) or changing temperature of a single surfactant in order to change the micelle shape. We validate the micelle shape by SANS and use the results as a guide for our simulations. We calculate parameters that determine relaxation rates directly from simulated trajectories, without introducing specific functional forms. Results indicate that relative motions of nearby atoms are liquid-like, in agreement with 13C T1 measurements, though constrained by micelle morphology. Relative motions of distant atoms have slower components because the relative changes in distances and angles are smaller when the moving atoms are further apart. The slow, long-range motions appear to be responsible for the predominantly negative cross relaxation rates observed in NOESY spectra. The densities of atoms from positions 1 and 2 in the boundary region are lower in spherical micelles compared to cylindrical micelles. Correspondingly, motions in this region are less constrained by micelle morphology in the spherical compared to the cylindrical cases. The two effects of morphology lead to the unusual occurrence of positive cross relaxation involving positions 1 and 2 for spheres.

scholarly journals Polymer cyclization for the emergence of hierarchical nanostructures

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaojian Chen ◽  
Manjesh Kumar Singh ◽  
Katrin Wunderlich ◽  
Sean Harvey ◽  
Colette J. Whitfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Hierarchical Structures ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Nanomaterial Synthesis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Linear Poly ◽  
Polymer Folding ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

AbstractThe creation of synthetic polymer nanoobjects with well-defined hierarchical structures is important for a wide range of applications such as nanomaterial synthesis, catalysis, and therapeutics. Inspired by the programmability and precise three-dimensional architectures of biomolecules, here we demonstrate the strategy of fabricating controlled hierarchical structures through self-assembly of folded synthetic polymers. Linear poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) of different lengths are folded into cyclic polymers and their self-assembly into hierarchical structures is elucidated by various experimental techniques and molecular dynamics simulations. Based on their structural similarity, macrocyclic brush polymers with amphiphilic block side chains are synthesized, which can self-assemble into wormlike and higher-ordered structures. Our work points out the vital role of polymer folding in macromolecular self-assembly and establishes a versatile approach for constructing biomimetic hierarchical assemblies.

scholarly journals Emergent chiral symmetry in a three-dimensional interacting Dirac liquid

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
András L. Szabó ◽  
Bitan Roy
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Points ◽  
Chiral Symmetry ◽  
Rotational Symmetry ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Spatial Dimension ◽  
Dirac Fermions ◽  
Electronic Interactions ◽  
Emergent Phenomena ◽  
Ordered Phases ◽  
The Stability

Abstract We compute the effects of strong Hubbardlike local electronic interactions on three-dimensional four-component massless Dirac fermions, which in a noninteracting system possess a microscopic global U(1) ⊗ SU(2) chiral symmetry. A concrete lattice realization of such chiral Dirac excitations is presented, and the role of electron-electron interactions is studied by performing a field theoretic renormalization group (RG) analysis, controlled by a small parameter ϵ with ϵ = d−1, about the lower-critical one spatial dimension. Besides the noninteracting Gaussian fixed point, the system supports four quantum critical and four bicritical points at nonvanishing interaction couplings ∼ ϵ. Even though the chiral symmetry is absent in the interacting model, it gets restored (either partially or fully) at various RG fixed points as emergent phenomena. A representative cut of the global phase diagram displays a confluence of scalar and pseudoscalar excitonic and superconducting (such as the s-wave and p-wave) mass ordered phases, manifesting restoration of (a) chiral U(1) symmetry between two excitonic masses for repulsive interactions and (b) pseudospin SU(2) symmetry between scalar or pseudoscalar excitonic and superconducting masses for attractive interactions. Finally, we perturbatively study the effects of weak rotational symmetry breaking on the stability of various RG fixed points.

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