Ayae Sugawara-Narutaki

Porous Siloxane–Organic Hybrid with Ultrahigh Surface Area through Simultaneous Polymerization–Destruction of Functionalized Cubic Siloxane Cages

A novel hierarchically porous, hyper-cross-linked siloxane-organic hybrid (PSN-5) has been synthesized by Friedel-Crafts self-condensation of benzyl chloride-terminated double-four-ring cubic siloxane cages as a singular molecular precursor. Simultaneous polymerization of the organic functional groups and destruction of the siloxane cages during synthesis yielded PSN-5, which has an ultrahigh BET surface area (∼2500 m(2) g(-1)) and large pore volume (∼3.3 cm(3) g(-1)) that to our knowledge are the highest values reported for siloxane-based materials. PSN-5 also shows a high H(2) uptake of 1.25 wt % at 77 K and 760 Torr.

Two-Phase Synthesis of Monodisperse Silica Nanospheres with Amines or Ammonia Catalyst and Their Controlled Self-Assembly

A significant progress has recently been made in the synthesis of monodisperse silica nanoparticles less than 30 nm in diameter by using basic amino acids (e.g., lysine) as a base catalyst for hydrolysis of silicon alkoxide. Alternatively, a more versatile and economical amino acid-free method has been developed to synthesize uniform silica nanospheres (SNSs) with low polydispersity (<12%) in liquid-liquid biphasic systems containing tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), water, and primary amine (or ammonia) under precisely controlled pH conditions (pH 10.8-11.4). The diameter of the SNSs determined from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be tuned from ∼12 to ∼36 nm by simply changing the initial pH of the aqueous phase in the reaction mixtures. Furthermore, the as-synthesized sol was taken as the starting material for studying the influences of the type of base catalysts on the solvent evaporation-induced three-dimensional (3D) self-assembly of SNSs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption are used to characterize the degree of packing of the resulting 3D arrays. The assembled SNSs with large interparticle mesopores with the diameter of ca. 8.1 nm and low packing fraction of ca. 66.1% are observed upon solvent evaporation of as-synthesized sol in the presence of primary amine. This indicates that SNSs are loosely packed, compared with the packing fraction of 74% for a face-centered cubic array of ideal hard spheres. In contrast, with the aid of an organic buffer or lysine as additives, the assembly of SNSs having smaller mesopores (ca. 3.9 nm) and higher packing fraction of 70.5-71.5% are achieved. It is suggested that the chemical additives with the ability to maintain relatively strong repulsive interaction until the final stage of evaporation play a vital role in the fabrication of well-ordered SNSs arrays.

Biphasic synthesis of colloidal mesoporous silica nanoparticles using primary amine catalysts.

A new type of colloidal mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) is synthesized in liquid-liquid biphasic systems consisting of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and water in the presence of primary amines and cationic surfactants (cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, CTAC) under controlled pH conditions (pH 11.1-11.5). The obtained MSNs are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. The results show that the colloidal MSNs with an average diameter in the range of 28-54 nm and a size polydispersity below ca. 15% have been obtained. Importantly, each MSN is composed of a number of tiny primary silica nanoparticles (PSNPs) forming 3D connected pore structure. The pore size of the MSNs can be tuned from 2.5 to 3.0 nm by changing the pH of catalyst stock solution, and larger pore sizes (3.1-4.5 nm) can be achieved by using pore swelling agent. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas and total pore volumes vary from 550 to 750 m(2)g(-1) and from 1.2 to 1.7 cm(3)g(-1), respectively. Compared with conventional MCM-41-type MSNs, our new MSNs show outstanding colloidal and hydrothermal stabilities. They are colloidally stable at room temperature over 1 year, and their mesostructure was retained even after hydrothermal treatment at 120°C for 24h. Finally, based on the analysis of the morphology and structure of MSNs, a formation scheme based on the cooperative self-assembly of PSNPs and surfactant molecules is proposed.

Diol‐Linked Microporous Networks of Cubic Siloxane Cages

A new class of inorganic-organic hybrid porous materials has been synthesized by a reaction between octa(hydridosilsesquioxane) (H(8)Si(8)O(12)), which has a double-four-ring (D4R) structure, and various diols, such as 1,3-propanediol (PD), 1,4-cyclohexanediol (CHD), and 1,3-adamantanediol (AD). Solid-state (29) Si magic-angle-spinning NMR spectroscopic analysis confirmed that most of the corner Si-H groups reacted with diols to form Si-O-C bonds with retention of the D4R cage. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption studies showed that the products are microporous solids with high BET surface areas (up to ≈580 m(2) g(-1) for CHD- and AD-linked products). If n-alkanediols are used as linkers, the surface area becomes smaller as the number of carbon atoms is increased. The thermal and hydrolytic stability of the products strongly depend on the type of diol linkers. The highest stabilities are found for the AD-linked products, which are thermally stable up to around 400 °C and remain intact even after being soaked in water for 1 day. In contrast, the PD-linked product is easily hydrolyzed in water to give microporous silica. These results offer a new route toward a series of silica-based porous materials with unique structures and properties.

Elastin-based silver-binding proteins with antibacterial capabilities

AIM To develop novel elastin-like materials with antibacterial capabilities. MATERIALS & METHODS Artificial proteins bearing AG3 silver-binding motifs (GPG-AG3) were constructed using genetic engineering. GPG-AG3 materials were prepared as GPG-AG3 protein aggregates as well as chemically crosslinked spin-coated thin films. Both GPG-AG3 protein aggregates and thin films were incubated in silver nitrate solution and characterized using electron microscopy. RESULTS & DISCUSSION The GPG-AG3 substrates prepared in this work have the ability to nucleate silver under physiological conditions. When tested against gram-negative Escherichia coli bacterial culture, silver-coated GPG-AG3 materials were able to inhibit bacterial growth, confirming their antibacterial properties. CONCLUSION Antibacterial artificial protein materials were successfully developed, demonstrating promise for use as wound dressings and biomedical implant coatings.

Nanoparticle Vesicles with Controllable Surface Topographies through Block Copolymer-Mediated Self-Assembly of Silica Nanospheres

Silica nanoparticle vesicles (NPVs) with encapsulating capability and surface permeability are highly attractive in nanocatalysis, biosensing, and drug delivery systems. Herein, we report the facile fabrication of silica NPVs composed of a monolayer of silica nanospheres (SNSs, ca. 15 nm in diameter) through the block copolymer-mediated self-assembly of SNSs. The silica NPVs gain different surface topographies, such as raspberry- and brain coral-like topographies, under controlled heat treatment conditions. The vesicular assembly of SNSs is successful with a series of poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) block copolymers, and the size of NPVs can be tuned by changing their molecular weight. The polymer is easily extracted from the NPVs with their colloidal dispersibility and structural integrity intact. The polymer-free silica NPVs further serve as a reaction vessel and host for functional materials such as tin oxide nanoparticles.

Chain-like nanostructures from anisotropic self-assembly of semiconducting metal oxide nanoparticles with a block copolymer

A facile method is reported for the preparation of chain-like nanostructures by anisotropic self-assembly of TiO(2) and SnO(2) nanoparticles with the aid of a block copolymer in an aqueous medium. Well-defined crystallographic orientations between neighbouring nanoparticles are observed in TiO(2) nanochains, which is important for tailoring the grain boundaries and thus enhancing charge transport.

Synthesis of ordered photoresponsive azobenzene–siloxane hybrids by self-assembly

In this study, photoresponsive azobenzene–siloxane hybrids with lamellar structures were prepared by self-assembly using two types of alkoxysilane precursors, 4-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propoxy]azobenzene (P1) and 4-[3-(diethoxymethylsilyl)propoxy]azobenzene (P2). The films H1 and H2 were prepared by spin-coating hydrolyzed solutions of P1 and P2, respectively, on a glass substrate followed by heating to induce polycondensation. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that H1 and H2 have lamellar structures with different d-spacings (3.20 nm and 2.37 nm, respectively), suggesting that the arrangements of the azobenzene moieties are different. These samples show slight but reversible changes in the d-spacings under photo-irradiation. Under UV irradiation, H1 shows a slight decrease in d-spacing, while H2 shows a slight increase. Such changes were caused by trans–cis isomerization of a part of the azobenzene moieties in the films, as confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. These processes were reversible, with the d-spacings recovering their original values under visible light irradiation. Furthermore, P1 and P2 were co-hydrolyzed and polycondensed with tetraethoxysilane to give lamellar films (H1′ and H2′) showing a higher degree of trans–cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene moieties. Both H1′ and H2′ show increase in the d-spacings after soaking in various organic solvents. Possible structural models have been proposed to explain these photoresponsive properties of the azobenzene–siloxane nanohybrids, which will find potential applications as smart sensors and adsorbents in future.

Beaded nanofibers assembled from double-hydrophobic elastin-like block polypeptides: Effects of trifluoroethanol

A “double‐hydrophobic” elastin‐like triblock polypeptide GPG has been constructed by mimicking the localization of proline‐ and glycine‐rich hydrophobic domains of native elastin, a protein that provides elasticity and resilience to connective tissues. In this study, the effects of trifluoroethanol (TFE), an organic solvent that strongly affects secondary structures of polypeptides on self‐assembly of GPG in aqueous solutions were systematically studied. Beaded nanofiber formation of GPG, where nanoparticles are initially formed by coacervation of the polypeptides followed by their connection into one‐dimensional nanostructures, is accelerated by the addition of TFE at the concentrations up to 30% (v/v), whereas aggregates of nanoparticles are formed at 60% TFE. The concentration‐dependent assembly pattern discussed is based on the influence of TFE on the secondary structures of GPG. Well‐defined nanofibers whose diameter and secondary structures are controlled by TFE concentration may be ideal building blocks for constructing bioelastic materials in tissue engineering.

Plant opal-mimetic bunching silica nanoparticles mediated by long-chain polyethyleneimine

We found that opals covering a rice plant are composed of loosely packed silica nanoparticles ∼50 nm in diameter. The plant opal-mimetic structures of bunching nonspherical silica nanoparticles were produced through hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane in an alcoholic solution containing a long-chain branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI). Bunching silica nanoparticles 10–50 nm in diameter were spontaneously grown in polymer-mediated polycondensation in the BPEI matrix that accumulated hydrolyzed silicate species.