Direct visualization of bottlebrush polymer conformations in the solid state

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (40) ◽  
pp. e2109534118
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Chan ◽  
Avram C. Kordon ◽  
Ruimeng Zhang ◽  
Muzhou Wang
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Persistence Length ◽  
Polymer Melt ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Linear Polymers ◽  
Polymer Science ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
Similar System

Although the behavior of single chains is integral to the foundation of polymer science, a clear and convincing image of single chains in the solid state has still not been captured. For bottlebrush polymers, understanding their conformation in bulk materials is especially important because their extended backbones may explain their self-assembly and mechanical properties that have been attractive for many applications. Here, single-bottlebrush chains are visualized using single-molecule localization microscopy to study their conformations in a polymer melt composed of linear polymers. By observing bottlebrush polymers with different side chain lengths and grafting densities, we observe the relationship between molecular architecture and conformation. We show that bottlebrushes are significantly more rigid in the solid state than previously measured in solution, and the scaling relationships between persistence length and side chain length deviate from those predicted by theory and simulation. We discuss these discrepancies using mechanisms inspired by polymer-grafted nanoparticles, a conceptually similar system. Our work provides a platform for visualizing single-polymer chains in an environment made up entirely of other polymers, which could answer a number of open questions in polymer science.

Single Molecule Solid State Light Emitting Electrochemical Cells with Lifetimes Superior to 3000 Hours

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk Bolink ◽  
Rubén D. Costa ◽  
Enrique Orti ◽  
Michele Sessolo ◽  
Stefan Graber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Electrochemical Cells ◽  
Light Emitting

Factors Affecting Molecular Self-Assembly and Its Mechanism

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hueyling Tan
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Molecular Engineering ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Polymer Science ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Wide Range

Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in nature and has emerged as a new approach to produce new materials in chemistry, engineering, nanotechnology, polymer science and materials. Molecular self-assembly has been attracting increasing interest from the scientific community in recent years due to its importance in understanding biology and a variety of diseases at the molecular level. In the last few years, considerable advances have been made in the use ofpeptides as building blocks to produce biological materials for wide range of applications, including fabricating novel supra-molecular structures and scaffolding for tissue repair. The study ofbiological self-assembly systems represents a significant advancement in molecular engineering and is a rapidly growing scientific and engineering field that crosses the boundaries ofexisting disciplines. Many self-assembling systems are rangefrom bi- andtri-block copolymers to DNA structures as well as simple and complex proteins andpeptides. The ultimate goal is to harness molecular self-assembly such that design andcontrol ofbottom-up processes is achieved thereby enabling exploitation of structures developed at the meso- and macro-scopic scale for the purposes oflife and non-life science applications. Such aspirations can be achievedthrough understanding thefundamental principles behind the selforganisation and self-synthesis processes exhibited by biological systems.

scholarly journals Solid‐State Near‐Infrared Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Chiral YbIII‐Single‐Molecule Magnet

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Pointillart ◽  
Bertrand Lefeuvre ◽  
Carlo Andrea Mattei ◽  
Jessica Flores Gonzalez ◽  
Frédéric Gendron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Circularly Polarized ◽  
Single Molecule Magnet ◽  
Circularly Polarized Luminescence ◽  
Polarized Luminescence

Azoimidazole gold(III) complexes: Synthesis, structural characterization and self-assembly in the solid state

2021 ◽  
Vol 522 ◽  
pp. 120373
Author(s):  
Alexander G. Tskhovrebov ◽  
Alexander S. Novikov ◽  
Boris S. Tupertsev ◽  
Alexey A. Nazarov ◽  
Anastasia A. Antonets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
Structural Characterization ◽  
Self Assembly

scholarly journals Luminescent Supramolecular Nano- or Microstructures Formed in Aqueous Media by Amphiphile-Noble Metal Complexes

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Cretu ◽  
Loredana Maiuolo ◽  
Domenico Lombardo ◽  
Elisabeta I. Szerb ◽  
Pietro Calandra
Keyword(s):  
Noble Metal ◽  
Smart Materials ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Noble Metals ◽  
Photophysical Properties ◽  
Aqueous Media ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
Stimuli Responsive ◽  
Panoramic View ◽  
Amphiphilic Molecules

The involvement of metal ions within the self-assembly spontaneously occurring in surfactant-based systems gives additional and interesting features. The electronic states of the metal, together with the bonds that can be established with the organic amphiphilic counterpart, are the factors triggering new photophysical properties. Moreover, the availability of stimuli-responsive supramolecular amphiphile assemblies, able to disassemble in a back-process, provides reversible switching particularly useful in novel approaches and applications giving rise to truly smart materials. In particular, small amphiphiles with an inner distribution, within their molecular architecture, of various polar and apolar functional groups, can give a wide variety of interactions and therefore enriched self-assemblies. If it is joined with the opportune presence and localization of noble metals, whose chemical and photophysical properties are undiscussed, then very interesting materials can be obtained. In this minireview, the basic concepts on self-assembly of small amphiphilic molecules with noble metals are shown with particular reference to the photophysical properties aiming at furnishing to the reader a panoramic view of these exciting problematics. In this respect, the following will be shown: (i) the principles of self-assembly of amphiphiles that involve noble metals, (ii) examples of amphiphiles and amphiphile-noble metal systems as representatives of systems with enhanced photophysical properties, and (iii) final comments and perspectives with some examples of modern applications.

scholarly journals Large domain movements upon UvrD dimerization and helicase activation

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (46) ◽  
pp. 12178-12183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binh Nguyen ◽  
Yerdos Ordabayev ◽  
Joshua E. Sokoloski ◽  
Elizabeth Weiland ◽  
Timothy M. Lohman
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Total Internal Reflection ◽  
Dna Helicase ◽  
Conformational State ◽  
Helicase Activity ◽  
Multiple Conformations ◽  
Dna Substrate

Escherichia coli UvrD DNA helicase functions in several DNA repair processes. As a monomer, UvrD can translocate rapidly and processively along ssDNA; however, the monomer is a poor helicase. To unwind duplex DNA in vitro, UvrD needs to be activated either by self-assembly to form a dimer or by interaction with an accessory protein. However, the mechanism of activation is not understood. UvrD can exist in multiple conformations associated with the rotational conformational state of its 2B subdomain, and its helicase activity has been correlated with a closed 2B conformation. Using single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we examined the rotational conformational states of the 2B subdomain of fluorescently labeled UvrD and their rates of interconversion. We find that the 2B subdomain of the UvrD monomer can rotate between an open and closed conformation as well as two highly populated intermediate states. The binding of a DNA substrate shifts the 2B conformation of a labeled UvrD monomer to a more open state that shows no helicase activity. The binding of a second unlabeled UvrD shifts the 2B conformation of the labeled UvrD to a more closed state resulting in activation of helicase activity. Binding of a monomer of the structurally similar Escherichia coli Rep helicase does not elicit this effect. This indicates that the helicase activity of a UvrD dimer is promoted via direct interactions between UvrD subunits that affect the rotational conformational state of its 2B subdomain.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document