Block copolymers for designing nanostructured porous coatings

• Roberto Nisticò

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2332–2344, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.218

• thin coatings, one simple route involves the use of self-assembled amphiphilic block copolymers either as the porogen (acting as sacrificial templating agents for the production of inorganic architectures) or as a source of the porogen (by self-assembly for the production of polymeric substrates

• using different synthetic routes to facilitate the incorporation of multiple chemical functionalities into the porous framework or at the pore surface [33]. The self-assembly of block copolymers is an exceptional strategy for inducing well-ordered and regular porosity in polymers [6][32]. Block

• copolymers (BCs) are macromolecules consisting of two (or more) immiscible homopolymer chains covalently linked together. Mesoscale nanostructures can be obtained due to the thermodynamic incompatibility of the blocks, which induce microphase separation via self-assembly, in order to minimize the contact

Lead-free hybrid perovskites for photovoltaics

• Oleksandr Stroyuk

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2209–2235, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.207

• CsSnX3 nanorods applied as light harvesters with TiO2/SpiroMeOTAD ETL/HTL combination revealed relatively high PCEs increasing from 9.66% for X = Cl to 10.46% for X = Br to 12.96% for X = I (Table 1), all three devices demonstrating a high Voc of 0.85–0.87 V [72]. A controlled self-assembly phenomenon

Dumbbell gold nanoparticle dimer antennas with advanced optical properties

• Janning F. Herrmann and
• Christiane Höppener

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2188–2197, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.205

• , to be well-suited as SERS substrates [54][55]. The high reactivity of CB[n]s with Au surfaces may lead to the uncontrolled formation nanoparticle aggregates in solution, and often prevents a controlled self-assembly into dimers or small oligomer structures. However, using guided assembly by taking

Electrospun one-dimensional nanostructures: a new horizon for gas sensing materials

• Muhammad Imran,
• Nunzio Motta and
• Mahnaz Shafiei

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2128–2170, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.202

• applications. This approach shows good potential for applications involving the self-assembly of anisotropic NPs to generate new functional devices [63]. There are two major methods for producing electrospun NP fibers [40]: (i) “indirect synthesis”, that requires some post-processing methods after

• NTs are synthesized using layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly of tungsten as well as catalyst precursor on PMMA electrospun nanofibers. Pristine WO3 NTs exhibit a high response (Rgas/Rair) of 63.59 to 5 ppm NO at 350 °C. On the other hand, a high response of 2.24 for the Pt-WO3 NTs and 2.35 for the Pd

Self-assembled quasi-hexagonal arrays of gold nanoparticles with small gaps for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

• Emre Gürdal,
• Simon Dickreuter,
• Fatima Noureddine,
• Pascal Bieschke,
• Dieter P. Kern and
• Monika Fleischer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1977–1985, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.188

• lithography; optical antenna; self-assembly; SERS; Introduction Over the last decades self-assembled layers of gold nanoparticles have taken an important role in emerging nanotechnologies. Noble metal nanoparticles show localized surface plasmon polariton resonances (LSPRs) in the visible and infrared

• enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) [10]. Ordered arrays of such particles can be fabricated by different methods. Electron-beam lithography for example is a top-down method which provides good control, but is time consuming and costly. In contrast, the self-assembly of block-copolymers is a bottom-up

Preparation of micro/nanopatterned gelatins crosslinked with genipin for biocompatible dental implants

• Reika Makita,
• Tsukasa Akasaka,
• Seiichi Tamagawa,
• Yasuhiro Yoshida,
• Saori Miyata,
• Hirofumi Miyaji and
• Tsutomu Sugaya

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1735–1754, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.165

• ) [30], coating on patterned substrates [31][32][33], self-assembly of collagen fibers [34], and crosslinking, using glutaraldehyde [35], formaldehyde [36], carbodiimide [37], genipin [38][39], riboflavin [40], transglutaminase [41], silane coupling agents [42], as well as thermal dehydration [43][44

Closed polymer containers based on phenylboronic esters of resorcinarenes

• Tatiana Yu. Sergeeva,
• Rezeda K. Mukhitova,
• Irek R. Nizameev,
• Marsil K. Kadirov,
• Polina D. Klypina,
• Albina Y. Ziganshina and
• Alexander I. Konovalov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1594–1601, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.151

• materials. The method is based on the self-assembly of resorcinarenes, macrocyclic compounds obtained by the condensation of resorcinol with aldehydes [32]. Resorcinarenes offer the advantages of low toxicity and simple synthesis with the use of available reagents. One of their important features is the

Interaction-tailored organization of large-area colloidal assemblies

• Silvia Rizzato,
• Elisabetta Primiceri,
• Anna Grazia Monteduro,
• Adriano Colombelli,
• Angelo Leo,
• Maria Grazia Manera,
• Roberto Rella and
• Giuseppe Maruccio

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1582–1593, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.150

• chopper frequency. The angle between the incident and reflected light beams was set at 30°. Results and Discussion The effect of particle–substrate interactions on colloidal self-assembly was the first aspect that was investigated. For this purpose, the charged polystyrene spheres of smaller diameter were

• . (a) Schematic drawing of the basic steps for the realization of a mask derived from spherical, nanoscale materials by electrostatic self-assembly of nanospheres for the fabrication of (b) nanoholes (c) and nanodisks. SEM plane-view of nanosphere masks obtained by solutions with different salt

Nanoporous silicon nitride-based membranes of controlled pore size, shape and areal density: Fabrication as well as electrophoretic and molecular filtering characterization

• Axel Seidenstücker,
• Stefan Beirle,
• Fabian Enderle,
• Paul Ziemann,
• Othmar Marti and
• Alfred Plettl

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1390–1398, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.131

• defined nanopores restricts them to small numbers of pores or specific arrangements, hindering high throughput [21][22]. With this aspect in mind, parallel fabrication techniques, based on self-assembly of polymeric components, become essential in combination with appropriate etching procedures. For this

Atomic-level characterization and cilostazol affinity of poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles conjugated with differentially charged hydrophilic molecules

• María Francisca Matus,
• Martín Ludueña,
• Cristian Vilos,
• Iván Palomo and
• Marcelo M. Mariscal

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1328–1338, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.126

• reactive force field (ReaxFF) to prove that the self-assembly process of PLA–PEG NPs is consistent with the experimental method of synthesis [34], investigate the flexibility of polymer chains, and characterize the ability to protect a potential cargo. Docking calculations were employed in order to

Surface characterization of nanoparticles using near-field light scattering

• Eunsoo Yoo,
• Yizhong Liu,
• Chukwuazam A. Nwasike,
• Sebastian R. Freeman,
• Brian C. DiPaolo,
• Bernardo Cordovez and
• Amber L. Doiron

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1228–1238, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.114

• the particle surface in varied solvents [7][17][18]. In this work, we present one potential application of near-field light scattering-based nanophotonic force microscopy used to evaluate changes in particle surface and size by examining the self-assembly of interpolymer complexed superparamagnetic

Heterostuctures of 4-(chloromethyl)phenyltrichlorosilane and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine prepared on Si(111) using particle lithography: Nanoscale characterization of the main steps of nanopatterning

• Phillip C. Chambers and
• Jayne C. Garno

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1211–1219, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.112

• with a surface orientation defined by the substituents [20]. The self-assembly of manganese meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin on Cu(111) was studied using low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to resolve molecular structures by Chen et al. [21]. A

• ], nanoparticles [32][33][34][35] and inorganic materials [36]. Experimental parameters such as the environmental conditions and solvent choice affect the density of organosilane thin films [37][38]. A model was proposed for the self-assembly of CMPS nanostructures formed within areas of nanoholes which

• profile for the line in (b). Model for the self-assembly of CMPS-porphyrin heterostructures within an OTS matrix layer. Supporting Information A histogram of the height measurements for the nanostructures for Figure 4 is provided in the Supporting Information. Supporting Information File 128: Size

Review on nanoparticles and nanostructured materials: history, sources, toxicity and regulations

• Jaison Jeevanandam,
• Ahmed Barhoum,
• Yen S. Chan,
• Alain Dufresne and
• Michael K. Danquah

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1050–1074, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.98

• silicon and ceramics. (iii) Organic-based nanomaterials: These include NMs made mostly from organic matter, excluding carbon-based or inorganic-based NMs. The utilization of noncovalent (weak) interactions for the self-assembly and design of molecules helps to transform the organic NMs into desired

• . Nanosize, monodispersity, distinct shapes, selective permeability to smaller molecules, composition controllability by genome manipulation, self-assembly and polyvalence, rapid growth, and stability towards pH and temperature [125][126], are properties that make viruses a unique category among NMs [127

Electro-optical interfacial effects on a graphene/π-conjugated organic semiconductor hybrid system

• Karolline A. S. Araujo,
• Luiz A. Cury,
• Matheus J. S. Matos,
• Thales F. D. Fernandes,
• Luiz G. Cançado and
• Bernardo R. A. Neves

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 963–974, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.90

• microscopy; self-assembly; Introduction Organic semiconductors offer a wide range of possible applications, from thin-film transistors to sensors and solar cells [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Their optical and electronic properties are strongly linked to intermolecular interaction parameters associated with molecular

Surface-plasmon-enhanced ultraviolet emission of Au-decorated ZnO structures for gas sensing and photocatalytic devices

• T. Anh Thu Do,
• Truong Giang Ho,
• Thu Hoai Bui,
• Quang Ngan Pham,
• Hong Thai Giang,
• Thi Thu Do,
• Duc Van Nguyen and
• Dai Lam Tran

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 771–779, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.70

• agglomeration, but also bind to the crystal seed surface. These are believed to play an important role in the weakening of grain growth and the assembly of nanorods. Owing to the stronger bonding between the active component of the deposition solution and substrate surface, the self-assembly of the nanorod

Cyclodextrin-assisted synthesis of tailored mesoporous silica nanoparticles

• Fuat Topuz and
• Tamer Uyar

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 693–703, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.64

• surfactant, porous silica particles could also be generated through supramolecular aggregates of nonpolar cyclodextrins (CDs), which acted as porogens to create porous particles [20]. CDs are cyclic oligosaccharides with a tendency of forming aggregates in water by self-assembly. The addition of such

• . The variations in CD-type and concentration led to marked changes in particle morphology, thus allowing for the synthesis of nanoparticles in a variety of shapes (e.g., from round to ellipsoid and even faceted). This shape change could be attributed to the self-assembly of CDs after modification with

• the alterations in the pore architecture, which was directed by the self-assembly of β-CD during the particle formation. The pore size and volume of the particles were measured using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. Figure S6 (Supporting Information File 1) shows the nitrogen adsorption

Tuning adhesion forces between functionalized gold colloidal nanoparticles and silicon AFM tips: role of ligands and capillary forces

• Sven Oras,
• Sergei Vlassov,
• Marta Berholts,
• Rünno Lõhmus and
• Karine Mougin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 660–670, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.61

• surface treatment. One approach is the functionalization of the surfaces with various ligands. For instance, grafting a thin molecular film with hydrophobic tail groups on a surface, formed by self-assembly process, prevents the formation of nano- or microdroplets of water on the treated sample, or

Kinetics of solvent supported tubule formation of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) wax on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) investigated by atomic force microscopy

• Sujit Kumar Dora,
• Kerstin Koch,
• Wilhelm Barthlott and
• Klaus Wandelt

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 468–481, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.45

• ; crystallization; epicuticular wax; Lotus; Nelumbo nucifera; nonacosanol tubules; self-assembly; superhydrophobic; Introduction The plant cuticle, a cutin matrix embedded and covered by waxes provides a multitasking interface between plant and environment [1]. These waxes are either reside within the cutin layer

• taken in account to understand how different factors affecting self-assembly of these tubules on HOPG. Koch et al. [21] demonstrated that self-assembly of nonacosan-10-ol tubules resulted in an upright orientation of tubules on HOPG. By employing tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), they observed

Sugarcane juice derived carbon dot–graphitic carbon nitride composites for bisphenol A degradation under sunlight irradiation

• Lan Ching Sim,
• Jing Lin Wong,
• Chen Hong Hak,
• Jun Yan Tai,
• Kah Hon Leong and
• Pichiah Saravanan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 353–363, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.35

• to the self-assembly process during the hydrothermal treatment [43]. However, a more porous structure in the CD/g-C3N4(0.5) composite was observed as compared to that of CD/g-C3N4(0.1), signifying that the increasing concentration of CDs could reduce the agglomeration effect in the composites. The

Design of polar self-assembling lactic acid derivatives possessing submicrometre helical pitch

• Alexej Bubnov,
• Cyril Vacek,
• Michał Czerwiński,
• Terezia Vojtylová,
• Wiktor Piecek and
• Věra Hamplová

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 333–341, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.33

• and for further utilisation in electro-optic devices based on the deformed helix ferroelectric effect. Keywords: ferroelectric liquid crystal; keto group; self-assembly on the nanoscale; soft ferroelectrics; submicrometre helical pitch length; Introduction The design of advanced self-assembling

Wafer-scale bioactive substrate patterning by chemical lift-off lithography

• Chong-You Chen,
• Chang-Ming Wang,
• Hsiang-Hua Li,
• Hong-Hseng Chan and
• Wei-Ssu Liao

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 311–320, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.31

• its great self-assembly behavior on Au and the suitable hydroxy-tail group toward the activated PDMS surface for the contact reaction [18][19][24][27]. A schematic illustration of the standard CLL operation is demonstrated in Figure 1, including PDMS activation, contact-induced reaction, lift-off

The nanofluidic confinement apparatus: studying confinement-dependent nanoparticle behavior and diffusion

• Stefan Fringes,
• Felix Holzner and
• Armin W. Knoll

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 301–310, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.30

• processes such as the anomalous diffusion in cellular environments [1][2], the delivery of drugs [3], the formation of colloidal crystals [4][5], particle sorting [6], and directed self-assembly [7]. Nanofluidic systems in general are characterized by spatial distances in at least one dimension of less than

Anchoring of a dye precursor on NiO(001) studied by non-contact atomic force microscopy

• Sara Freund,
• Antoine Hinaut,
• Nathalie Marinakis,
• Edwin C. Constable,
• Ernst Meyer,
• Catherine E. Housecroft and
• Thilo Glatzel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 242–249, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.26

• twice the length of a DCPDMbpy molecule) on the terraces indicates that the diffusion is limited, implying also a relatively strong adhesion to the surface at specific sites. To reduce the binding energy of the molecules and stimulate a self-assembly, the sample was annealed for 1 h at 150 °C. However

• CPD is increased above the islands compared to the bare NiO surface. In areas with a lower molecule density, e.g., at step edges and certain areas on the terraces, the CPD contrast is much weaker implying a direct influence of the self-assembly on the electrical surface properties. In summary

Al₂O₃/TiO₂ inverse opals from electrosprayed self-assembled templates

• Arnau Coll,
• Sandra Bermejo,
• David Hernández and
• Luís Castañer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 216–223, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.23

• fabrication of PCs with dimensions of hundreds of micrometers and larger with sufficient thickness that are free of defects is challenging and not easy to achieve with the conventional fabrication techniques [6][7]. Although self-assembly is one of the preferred deposition techniques (compared to alternative

• the orderly self-assembly of the nanoparticles due to the combination of several physical mechanisms – the most relevant for the self-assembly being the dielectrophoretic force [45][46]. In our experiments, the setup was adjusted using an off-the-shelf polystyrene solution in water (Corpuscular, Inc

Liquid-crystalline nanoarchitectures for tissue engineering

• Baeckkyoung Sung and
• Min-Ho Kim

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 205–215, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.22

• packed dsDNA molecules in sperm heads [74][75] and in the dinoflagellate and bacterial chromosomes [76][77][78]. Tissue-mimectic liquid-crystalline biomaterials 3D self-organization and self-assembly of biocompatible LC structures satisfy essential characteristics required for tissue engineering

• domains have been fabricated by Stupp and co-workers, based on the self-assembly of cholesteryl oligo(L-lactic acid) [109]. In this system, the incorporation of the cholesteryl moiety and the short lactic acid chain enables cell membrane adherence and biodegradability, respectively. Thus, the layer-by

• peptide amphiphiles can be made to encapsulate living cells in an anisotropic monodomain gel [36]. The gel self-assembly is induced by cooling within a physiological temperature range via nozzle-protrusion into the salty buffer. During the process, human mesenchymal stem cells and HL-1 cardiomyocytes were