The self‐assembly of copolymers containing crystallizable blocks in solution has received increasing attention in the past few years. Various strategies including crystallization‐driven self‐assembly ...(CDSA) and polymerization‐induced CDSA (PI‐CDSA) have been widely developed. Abundant self‐assembly morphologies are captured and advanced applications have been attempted. In this review, the synthetic strategies including the mechanisms and characteristics are highlighted and a survey on the advanced applications of crystalline nano‐assemblies is collected. This review is hoped to depict a comprehensive outline for self‐assembly of copolymers containing crystallizable blocks in recent years and to prompt the development of the self‐assembly technology in interdisciplinary fields.
Over the last few years, crystallization‐driven self‐assembly (CDSA) and polymerization‐induced CDSA (PI‐CDSA) have been widely utilized in preparing nano‐objects containing crystallizable blocks. These nano‐objects with various architectures have been applied to multiple fields. This review focus on the strategies and applications of self‐assembly of copolymers containing crystallizable blocks.
Noncovalent systems are adaptive and allow facile processing and recycling. Can they be at the same time robust? How can one rationally design such systems? Can they compete with high-performance ...covalent materials? The recent literature reveals that noncovalent systems can be robust yet adaptive, self-healing, and recyclable, featuring complex nanoscale structures and unique functions. We review such systems, focusing on the rational design of strong noncovalent interactions, kinetically controlled pathway-dependent processes, complexity, and function. The overview of the recent examples points at the emergent field of noncovalent nanomaterials that can represent a versatile, multifunctional, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional covalent systems.
Self‐assembly processes are very important in material sciences but are particularly difficult to predict quantitatively. This is the case for particulate magnetic materials in which field‐induced ...self‐assembly processes are essential. This article describes the recent advances in the development of predictive theoretical tools for the study of directed self‐assembly of superparamagnetic colloids under magnetic fields. A practical view is presented of how to employ the new concepts (derived from thermodynamic theory) to predict the possible assembled structures from the properties of the colloids and thermodynamic conditions. Quantitative prediction of kinetics is also discussed for the cases in which equilibrium theory is not relevant. Finally, an outline of fundamental aspects of the theory is presented.
Recent theoretical advances allow quantitative predictions of self‐assembly of superparamagnetic colloids under magnetic fields. This article describes how to employ self‐assembly thermodynamics to predict the possible assembled structures from the properties of the colloidal suspension (particle, size, magnetization, concentration, temperature). Quantitative prediction of kinetics is also discussed for the cases in which equilibrium theory is not relevant.
This article presents the recent developments of radical dispersion polymerizaton controlled by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) for the production of block copolymer ...particles of various morphologies, such as core‐shell spheres, worms, or vesicles. It is not meant to be an exhaustive review but it rather provides guidelines for non‐specialists. The article is subdivided into eight sections. After a general introduction, the mechanism of polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) through RAFT‐mediated dispersion polymerization is presented and the different parameters that control the morphology produced are discussed. The next two sections are devoted to the choice of the monomer/solvent pair and the macroRAFT agent. Afterwards, post‐polymerization morphological order‐to‐order transitions (i.e. morphological transitions triggered by extrinsic stimuli) or order‐to‐disorder transitions (i.e. disassembly of chains) are discussed. Assemblies based on more complex polymer architectures, such as triblock copolymers, are presented next, and finally the possibility to stabilize these structures by crosslinking is reported. The manuscript ends with a short conclusion and an outlook.
RAFT dispersion polymerization is a versatile and efficient tool to prepare core‐shell particles of various morphologies by polymerization‐induced self‐assembly. This article reviews recent developments in this field, critically comments on them, and gives an outlook on further expected developments. It provides guidelines for non‐experts by highlighting important aspects that must carefully be considered when planning the preparation of core‐shell nanoobjects using this approach.
Ionic crystals (ICs) of the azobenzene derivatives show photoinduced IC–ionic liquid (IL) phase transition (photoliquefaction) upon UV‐irradiation, and the resulting cis‐azobenzene ILs are reversibly ...photocrystallized by illumination with visible light. The photoliquefaction of ICs is accompanied by a significant increase in ionic conductivity at ambient temperature. The photoliquefaction also brings the azobenzene ICs further significance as photon energy storage materials. The cis‐IL shows thermally induced crystallization to the trans‐IC phase. This transition is accompanied by exothermic peaks with a total ΔH of 97.1 kJ mol−1, which is almost double the conformational energy stored in cis‐azobenzene chromophores. Thus, the integration of photoresponsive ILs and self‐assembly pushes the limit of solar thermal batteries.
Going through a phase: ICs of azobenzene derivatives show a photoinduced IC–IL phase transition (photoliquefaction) upon UV irradiation, and the resulting cis‐azobenzene ILs are reversibly photocrystallized by illumination with visible light. The photoliquefaction of ICs is accompanied by a significant increase in ionic conductivity at ambient temperature and holds potential as energy storage materials.
Recent advances in polymer synthesis have significantly enhanced the ability to rationally design block copolymers with tailored functionality. The self‐assembly of these macromolecules in the solid ...state or in solution allows the formation of nanostructured materials with a variety of properties and potential functions. This Review illustrates recent progress in the field of block copolymer materials by highlighting selected emerging applications.
Form and function: Functional block copolymers of well‐defined composition and length are readily available today thanks to recent advances in synthetic polymer chemistry. Their ability to self‐assemble into a great diversity of structures on the nanoscale, along with their customizable chemical functionalities, makes block copolymers highly desirable materials for a wide range of applications.
The generation of a dodecagonal columnar liquid quasicrystal is revealed by Carsten Tschierske, Feng Liu and co‐workers in their Research Article (e202314454). Constructed by the T‐shaped facial ...polyphiles, a special trapezoid tile with three aromatic walls and one flexible aliphatic wall becomes crucial for reaching the delicate balance between steric and entropic effects required by quasiperiodicity.
Tremendous interest in self‐assembly of peptides and proteins towards functional nanomaterials has been inspired by naturally evolving self‐assembly in biological construction of multiple and ...sophisticated protein architectures in organisms. Self‐assembled peptide and protein nanoarchitectures are excellent promising candidates for facilitating biomedical applications due to their advantages of structural, mechanical, and functional diversity and high biocompability and biodegradability. Here, this review focuses on the self‐assembly of peptides and proteins for fabrication of phototherapeutic nanomaterials for antitumor photodynamic and photothermal therapy, with emphasis on building blocks, non‐covalent interactions, strategies, and the nanoarchitectures of self‐assembly. The exciting antitumor activities achieved by these phototherapeutic nanomaterials are also discussed in‐depth, along with the relationships between their specific nanoarchitectures and their unique properties, providing an increased understanding of the role of peptide and protein self‐assembly in improving the efficiency of photodynamic and photothermal therapy.
Self‐assembled peptide‐ and protein‐based nanomaterials are important and promising for the novel and emerging antitumor techniques of photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy. Recent advances in fabrication and application of phototherapeutic nanomaterials based on peptide and protein self‐assembly are highlighted, providing an increased understanding of the role of peptide and protein self‐assembly in improving the efficiency of antitumor phototherapies.
