98%
921
2 minutes
20
The directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) is expected to complement conventional optical lithography due to its excellent pattern resolution and cost-effectiveness. Recent studies have shown that BCPs with a large Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ) are critical for a reduction of the thermodynamic defect density as well as an increase in pattern density. However, due to their slower self-assembly kinetics, high-χ BCPs typically necessitate solvent vapor annealing, which requires complex facilities and procedures compared to simple thermal annealing. Here, we introduce an immersion-triggered directed self-assembly (iDSA) process and demonstrate the combined advantages of excellent simplicity, productivity, large-area capability, and tunability. We show that the vapor-free, simple immersion of high-χ BCPs in a composition-optimized mixture of nonswelling and swelling solvents can induce the ultrafast (≤ 5 min) formation of nanoscale patterns with a pattern size ranging from 8-18 nm. Moreover, iDSA enables the reversible formation of seven different nanostructures from one sphere-forming BCP, demonstrating the outstanding controllability of this self-assembly route.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nn504995c | DOI Listing |
Chem Sci
September 2025
School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham Molecular Sciences Building, Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
The targeted formation of low-symmetry coordination cages represents a significant design challenge but offers the potential to engineer bespoke molecular hosts with precision. In this work, we have combined the design principles of geometric complementarity and coordination sphere engineering to direct the site- and orientation-selective self-assembly of heteroleptic PdL L -type coordination cages from low-symmetry ligands. The effects of different combinations of heterocyclic donors and their locations within the cage structures on isomer distributions were studied, providing insights on shifts in the balance between non-covalent interactions in the first and second coordination spheres of the cages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiotechnol Lett
September 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 04066, Republic of Korea.
The cell surface display system employs carrier proteins to present target proteins on the outer membrane of cells. This system enables functional proteins to be exposed on the exterior of living cells without cell lysis, allowing direct interaction with the surrounding environment. A major limitation of conventional approaches is the difficulty in displaying large-sized enzymes or antibodies, despite their critical roles in applications requiring functional domains that must remain intact, such as catalytic or antigen-binding sites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnal Chem
September 2025
Institute of Digitized Medicine and Intelligent Technology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, P. R. China.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has shown potential for early disease diagnosis via urinary metabolomics, but still faces challenges in achieving stable hot spots and processing complex clinical data. In this study, the preparation of chiral gold nanostars with precisely controllable branch size, number, and sharpness was realized by investigating the effects of l-GSH and CTA ( indicates halides) on site occupancy, reduction rate, and selective adsorption on crystal facets. Raman spectroscopic characterization using rhodamine 6G (R6G) as a reporter molecule revealed that nanoparticles with fewer branches, larger branch bases, and smoother surfaces exhibited excellent SERS activity, with an analytical enhancement factor (AEF) of 5.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Colloid Interface Sci
September 2025
Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei 230026, PR China. Electronic address:
Heterojunctions have garnered significant attention in the field of photocatalysis due to their exceptional ability to facilitate the separation of photogenerated charge carriers and their high efficiency in hydrogen reaction. However, their overall photocatalytic performance is often constrained by electron transport rates and suboptimal hydrogen adsorption/desorption kinetics. To address these challenges, this study develops a g-CN/MoS@MoC dual-effect synergistic solid-state Z-type heterojunction, synthesized through the in-situ sulfurization of MoC combined with ultrasonic self-assembly technique.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Chem Soc
September 2025
State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Molecular & Process Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
The discovery of new weak supramolecular interactions and supramolecular synthons is essential for directing self-assembly processes with enhanced precision, diversity, and functionality in complex molecular architectures. Here, we report the controlled self-assembly of diverse supramolecular architectures by a new directional bonding approach through the integration of radical-based dynamic covalent chemistry and supramolecular synthons. A novel macrocyclic synthon, , with a linear direction is constructed via radical-based dynamic covalent bonds from the phenothiazine building block substituted with two dicyanomethyl radicals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF