Properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) can be tailored by the curvature of the underlying surface. This is so because on a curved support the density of SAM headgroups is always smaller than that of the surface-attachment sites. This density difference increases with increasing curvature and is most pronounced for SAMs formed on nanoscopic particles. This Perspective describes systems in which nanoscale curvature causes pronounced changes in the pK(a) of acid-presenting SAMs or in the electrochemical potential of redox-active molecules (including supramolecular "switches") attached to nanoparticles. It is suggested that in nanoparticles having regions of different curvature these geometrical differences can translate into site-selective charging; such "patchy" particles could be used as building blocks of pH-sensitive assemblies.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/la103960q | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Insights into the molecular self-assembly of urea-functionalized acetylenes.
Nanotechnology
January 2025
Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, 140306, INDIA.
This study investigates simple acetylenes substituted with phenylurea as a constant H-bonding unit (Alk-R) and varied hydrophobic units (R = H, Phenyl (Ph), Phenylacetylene (PA), Ph-NMe2) to understand self-assembly properties driven by synergistic non-covalent interactions. Our observations reveal hierarchical self-assembled fibrillar networks with luminescent needles, fibers, and flowers on nano- to micro-meter scales. Subtle changes in substituents led to significant differences: H, Ph, PA, and Ph-NMe2 produced needle-like crystals, dendritic nanofibers, microflakes, and no self-assembly, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSymmetry Breaking: Case Studies with Organic Cage-Racemates.
Acc Chem Res
January 2025
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
ConspectusSymmetry is a pervasive phenomenon spanning diverse fields, from art and architecture to mathematics and science. In the scientific realms, symmetry reveals fundamental laws, while symmetry breaking─the collapse of certain symmetry─is the underlying cause of phenomena. Research on symmetry and symmetry breaking consistently provides valuable insights across disciplines, from parity violation in physics to the origin of homochirality in biology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFacile integration of a binary nano-prodrug with αPD-L1 as a translatable technology for potent immunotherapy of TNBC.
Acta Biomater
January 2025
Hengyang Medical School, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, MOE Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Disease, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China. Electronic address:
Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs)-based immunotherapy is a favorable approach for efficient triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment. However, the therapeutic efficacy of ICBs is greatly compromised by immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TMEs) and low expression levels of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1). Herein, we constructed an amphiphilic prodrug by linking a hydrophobic STING agonist, MSA-2 and a hydrophilic chemotherapeutic drug, gemcitabine (GEM) via an ester bond, which can self-assemble into GEM-MSA-2 (G-M) nanoparticles (NPs) with a tumor growth inhibition (TGI) value of 87.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPiezo-Capacitive Flexible Pressure Sensor with Magnetically Self-Assembled Microneedle Array.
ACS Sens
January 2025
CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, P. R. China.
Flexible pressure sensors are pivotal in advancing artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and wearable technologies. While microstructuring the functional layer of these sensors effectively enhances their performance, current fabrication methods often require complex equipment and time-consuming processes. Herein, we present a novel magnetization-induced self-assembly method to develop a magnetically grown microneedle array as a dielectric layer for flexible capacitive pressure sensors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWater-regulated viscosity-plasticity phase transitions in a peptide self-assembled muscle-like hydrogel.
Nat Commun
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
The self-assembly of small molecules through non-covalent interactions is an emerging and promising strategy for building dynamic, stable, and large-scale structures. One remaining challenge is making the non-covalent interactions occur in the ideal positions to generate strength comparable to that of covalent bonds. This work shows that small molecule YAWF can self-assemble into a liquid-crystal hydrogel (LCH), the mechanical properties of which could be controlled by water.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!