Creating new supramolecular materials by architecture of three-dimensional nanocrystal fiber networks.
The architecture of three-dimensional interconnecting self-organized nanofiber networks from separate needlelike crystals of L-DHL (lanosta-8,24-dien-3beta-ol:24,25-dihydrolanosterol = 56:44) in di-isooctylphthalate has been achieved for the first time, on the basis of the completely new concept of branching creation by additives (branching promoters). [In this work, an additive, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (EVACP), is used at a concentration of several 10 ppm.] We demonstrate that this novel technique enables us to produce previously unknown self-supporting supramolecular functional materials with tailormade micro- or nanostructures, possessing significantly modified macroscopic properties, by utilizing materials thus far considered to be "useless". In addition, both the self-organized structure and the properties of the new materials can be fine-tuned by altering the processing conditions. Our results show that the formation of the interconnecting 3D self-organized network structure is controlled by a new mechanism, so-called crystallographic mismatch branching mechanism, as opposed to the conventionally adopted molecular self-assembly mechanism. The principles and criteria for the selection of branching promoters are also discussed from the point of view of molecular structures.
Liu
Xiang Yang
XY
Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542. phyliuxy@nus.edu.sg
Sawant
Prashant D
PD
Tan
Wee Beng
WB
Noor
I B M
IB
Pramesti
C
C
Chen
B H
BH
D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D019277:Entropy; D007810:Lanosterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology; D013261:Sterols / Q000737:chemistry*
D010795:Phthalic Acids; D013261:Sterols; C471688:diisooctyl phthalate; D007810:Lanosterol; C032279:phthalic acid; C015316:lanostenol