AI Article Synopsis
- - The study examines how periodic orientation patterns in nematic gels are created through spontaneous self-assembly of fibrous aggregates when combined with an aligned liquid crystal (LC).
- - Experimental techniques such as optical microscopy and calorimetry reveal three reversible states—isotropic liquid, nematic, and nematic gel—linked to the unique properties of the polar liquid crystal and hydrogen bonding between gelator molecules.
- - The research also explores how the chemical characteristics and alignment of the LC affect the morphology of the gelator fibers, with potential applications in creating templates for nanoparticle arrays within an LC matrix for advanced device fabrication.
Article Abstract
Periodic orientation patterns occurring in nematic gels, revealed by optical and scanning electron microscopy, are found to be formed by spontaneous self-assembly of fibrous aggregates of a low-molecular-weight organogelator in an aligned thermotropic liquid crystal (LC). Self-organization into periodic structures is also reflected in a calorimetric study, which shows the occurrence of three thermoreversible states, namely, isotropic liquid, nematic and nematic gel. The segregation and self-assembly of the fibrous aggregates leading to pattern formation are attributed to the highly polar LC and to hydrogen bonding between gelator molecules, as shown by X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy. This study aims to investigate in detail the effect of the chemical nature and alignment of an anisotropic solvent on the morphology of the gelator fibres and the resulting gelation process. The periodic organization of LC-rich and fibre-rich regions can also provide a way to obtain templates for positioning nanoparticle arrays in an LC matrix, which can lead to novel devices.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cphc.201800057 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Triple circularly polarized luminescence of phenylalanine-based supramolecular gels regulated by kinetic and thermodynamic assembly pathways.
Chem Commun (Camb)
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Bio-fibers and Eco-textiles, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Shandong Provincial Universities for Advanced Fibers and Composites, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China.
A single phenylalanine-based gelator can self-assemble into various chiral nanostructures with triple circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Its supramolecular assembly and CPL emission are found to be dependent on the kinetic and thermodynamic pathways. This work provides new insight into the regulation of CPL-active functional materials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGelation of Polyisocyanurate Xerogel Composites Induced by Silver Nanoparticles and Their Electrospun Fibers with Biocompatible and Antibacterial Properties for Biomedical Applications.
Langmuir
January 2025
Electroplating Metal Finishing Division, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, 630003 TamilNadu, India.
We report the in situ synthesis of silver-containing polyisocyanurate (Ag-PI) gels via the self-polymerization of isocyanate-containing organic molecules (Desmodur N75) catalyzed by silver nitrate (AgNO) in ,'-dimethylformamide, which acts as both the solvent and reducing agent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of polyisocyanurate and metallic silver nanoparticles. Gelation occurred in 30 min at 30 °C for Ag-PI, compared to 24 h for the uncatalyzed system, demonstrating AgNO's catalytic role.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecreating Silk's Fibrillar Nanostructure by Spinning Solubilized, Undegummed Silk.
Adv Mater
January 2025
Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
The remarkable toughness (>70 MJ m) of silkworm silk is largely attributed to its hierarchically arranged nanofibrillar nanostructure. Recreating such tough fibers through artificial spinning is often challenging, in part because degummed, dissolved silk is drastically different to the unspun native feedstock found in the spinning gland. The present work demonstrates a method to dissolve silk without degumming to produce a solution containing undegraded fibroin and sericin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiocompatible dually reinforced gellan gum hydrogels with selective antibacterial activity.
Carbohydr Polym
March 2025
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, PR China. Electronic address:
The poor mechanics and functionality of natural-polymer hydrogels from gellan gum (GG) prohibit their practical application, despite the intrinsic thermo-reversible gelation nature, structural and quality consistency, biocompatibility, biodegradability and sustainability of microbial fermentation-produced GG. Herein, a dual-reinforcing strategy, i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInjectable biocompatible hydrogels with tunable strength based on crosslinked supramolecular polymer nanofibers.
J Mater Chem B
January 2025
Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Hydrogels based on supramolecular assemblies offer attractive features for biomedical applications including injectability or versatile combinations of various building blocks. We here investigate a system combining benzenetrispeptides (BTP), which forms supramolecular fibers, with polymer polyethylene oxide (PEO) forming a dense hydrophilic shell around the fibers. Hydrogels are created through the addition of a bifunctional crosslinker (CL).
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!