The rational design of supramolecular nanoparticles by self-assembly is a crucial field of research due to the wide applications and the possibility of control through external triggers. Understanding the shape-determining factors is the key for tailoring nanoparticles with desired properties. Here, we show how the thermodynamics of the interaction control the shape of the nanoparticle. We highlight the connection between the molecular structure of building blocks, the interaction strength, and the nanoassembly shape. Nanoparticles are prepared by electrostatic self-assembly of cationic polyelectrolyte dendrimers of different generations and oppositely charged multivalent organic dyes relying on the combination of electrostatic and π-π interactions. Different building blocks have been used to vary interaction strength, geometric constraints, and charge ratio, providing insights into the assembly process. The nanoassembly structure has been characterized using atomic force microscopy, static light scattering, small angle neutron scattering, and UV-vis spectroscopy. We show that the isotropy/anisotropy of the nanoassemblies is related to the dye valency. Isothermal titration calorimetry has been used to investigate both dye-dye and dye-dendrimer interaction. The existence of a threshold value in entropy and enthalpy change separating isotropic and anisotropic shapes for both interactions has been demonstrated. The effects of the dye molecular structure on the interaction thermodynamics and therefore on the nanoparticle structure have been revealed using molecular modeling. The polar surface area of the dye molecule takes a key role in the dye self-interaction. This study opens the possibility for a priori shape determination knowing the building blocks structure and their interactions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5b11497 | DOI Listing |
Dalton Trans
January 2025
Laboratory for Chemical Computation and Modeling, Institute for Computational Science and Artificial Intelligence, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
A theoretical investigation, employing density functional theory with the PBE functional and the Def2-TZVP basis set, comprehensively explores the geometric and electronic structures and properties of the boron doped scandium clusters BSc with = 2-3 and = 3-13. Introduction of B atoms significantly enhances the stability of the resulting clusters with respect to the initial counterparts. As the number of B atoms increases, the stability of the doped clusters improves, following the order: BSc > BSc > BSc > Sc.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoscale
January 2025
School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
Serum albumin has myriad uses in biotechnology, but its value as a nanocarrier or nanoplatform for therapeutics is becoming increasingly important, notably with albumin-bound chemotherapeutics. Another emerging field is the fabrication of biopolymeric nanoparticles using albumin as a building block to achieve highly-tunable nonimmunogenic capsules or scaffolds that may be cheaply and reliably produced. The aim of this study was to characterize and optimize the desolvation process used for fabrication of albumin nanoparticles under ambient conditions, studying both glutaraldehyde (GT) and glucose (GLU) as crosslinking agents and the effect of various synthesis conditions including pH, electrolyte concentration, and rate of desolvation on particle size and stability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Adv Nurs
January 2025
Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Aim: To develop a reflection method for community nurses and certified nursing assistants to support the implementation of a professional reporting guideline for nurses and certified nursing assistants in daily care and to identify its key features.
Design: Design-based research.
Methods: This study was conducted in the Netherlands from February 2021 to April 2022.
Nano Lett
January 2025
National Laboratory of Solid States Microstructures, School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China.
While the highest-performing memristors currently available offer superior storage density and energy efficiency, their large-scale integration is hindered by the random distribution of filaments and nonuniform resistive switching in memory cells. Here, we demonstrate the self-organized synthesis of a type of two-dimensional protonic coordination polymers with high crystallinity and porosity. Hydrogen-bond networks containing proton carriers along its nanochannels enable uniform resistive switching down to the subnanoscale range.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoft Matter
January 2025
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad-826004, India.
Drug delivery vehicles optimize therapeutic outcomes by enhancing drug efficacy, minimizing side effects, and providing controlled release. Injectable hydrogels supersede conventional ones in the field of drug delivery owing to their less invasive administration and improved targeting. However, they face challenges such as low biodegradability and biocompatibility, potentially compromising their effectiveness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!