Search

Anionic lipid amphiphiles with [RuII(bpy)3]2+ complex have been prepared. The metal complexes have been found to form ribbon and tape structures depending on chemical structures of lipid amphiphiles. Especially, the composites showed hypochromic effect and induced circular dichroism in organic media, and flexibly and weakly supramolecular control of morphological and optical properties have been demonstrated.

An aspect of nanochemistry that has attracted significant attention is the formation of nanoarchitectures from the self-assembly of metal complexes, based on the design of compounds having cooperative functionalities. This technique is currently seen as important within the field of nanomaterials. In the present review, we describe the methods that allow tuning of the intermolecular interactions between spin crossover (SCO) complexes in various media. These approaches include the use of lipophilic derivatives, lipids, and diblock copolypeptide amphiphiles. The resulting supramolecular assemblies can enhance the solubility of various SCO complexes in both organic and aqueous media. In addition, amphiphilic modifications of coordination systems can result in metastable structures and dynamic structural transformations leading to unique solution properties, including spin state switching. The supramolecular chemistry of metal complexes is unprecedented in its scope and potential applications, and it is hoped that the studies presented herein will promote further investigation of dynamic supramolecular devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular monolayers and similar nanoarchitectures are indicative of the promising future of nanotechnology. Therefore, many scientists recently devoted their efforts to the synthesis, characterization, and properties of mono- and multilayer-based systems. In this context, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is an important technique for the in-depth chemical and structural characterization of nanoscopic systems. In fact, it is a surface technique suitable for probing thicknesses of the same order of the photoelectron inelastic mean free paths (a few tens of ångströms) and allows one to immediately obtain qualitative and quantitative data, film thickness, surface coverage, molecule footprint, oxidation states, and presence of functional groups. Nevertheless, other techniques are important in obtaining a complete spectroscopic characterization of the investigated systems. Therefore, in the present review we report on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of self-assembled molecular mono- and multilayer materials including some examples on which other characterization techniques produced important results. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unifrom nanoparticles with shape-anisotropy have been synthesized successfully, including rod-like, disk-like (or platelet), or faceted nanoparticles. Recently, innovative methods for funtionalizing their surfaces anisotropically have been devised, which involve site-selective attachment of organic ligands or nanoparticles on particle surface. Those techniques have opened a new way to build up complex nano-architectures by self-assembly. Moreover, recent progress in the synthesis and assembly of anisotropic colloids at micrometer scale has inspired directional self-assembly at nanoscale with anisotropic nanoparticles, which could lead to various nanodevices with better performance. In this review, we discuss synthetic methodology for anisotrpic nanoparticles, including nanorods, nanoplatelet (or nanodisks), faceted nanoparticles and hybrid nanoparticles. Their opitical properties and self-assembled structures are also discusssed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The synthesis and photochromic properties of novel 2,2-diarylnaphthopyrans were described. Significantly, the nanostructured architecture through two-component self-assembly of a photochromic naphthopyran and an asymmetric biphenyl was determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure motifs of nanocavities were formed by Cl⋯O interactions and Ar–H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds among the photochromic naphthopyran molecules. It was further shown by TEM that the dimensions of cavity structures were up to nanometer level, which provides the potential to capture useful nanoscale entities and control photochromism in organic materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The covalent and noncovalent association of self-assembling peptides and tetrapyrroles was explored as a way to generate systems that mimic Nature's functional supramolecular structures. Different types of peptides spontaneously assemble with porphyrins, phthalocyanines, or corroles to give long-range ordered architectures, whose structure is determined by the features of both components. The regular morphology and ordered molecular arrangement of these systems enhance the photochemical properties of embedded chromophores, allowing applications as photo-catalysts, antennas for dye-sensitized solar cells, biosensors, and agents for light-triggered therapies. Chemical modifications of peptide and tetrapyrrole structures and control over the assembly process can steer the organization and influence the properties of the resulting system. Here we provide a review of the field, focusing on the assemblies obtained from different classes of self-assembling peptides with tetrapyrroles, their morphologies and their applications as innovative functional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anionic lipid amphiphiles with [RuII(bpy)3]2+ complex have been prepared. The metal complexes have been found to form ribbon and tape structures depending on chemical structures of lipid amphiphiles. Especially, the composites showed hypochromic effect and induced circular dichroism in organic media, and flexibly and weakly supramolecular control of morphological and optical properties have been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]