Haiting Lv

Strong Blue Emissive Supramolecular Self-Assembly System Based on Naphthalimide Derivatives and Its Ability of Detection and Removal of 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol

Two simple and novel gelators (G-P with pyridine and G-B with benzene) with different C-4 substitution groups on naphthalimide derivatives have been designed and characterized. Two gelators could form organogels in some solvents or mixed solvents. The self-assembly processes of G-P in a mixed solvent of acetonitrile/H2O (1/1, v/v) and G-B in acetonitrile were studied by means of electron microscopy and spectroscopy. The organogel of G-P in the mixed solvent of acetonitrile/H2O (1/1, v/v) formed an intertwined fiber network, and its emission spectrum had an obvious blue shift compared with that of solution. By contrast, the organogel of G-B in acetonitrile formed a straight fiber, and its emission had an obvious red shift compared with that of solution. G-P and G-B were employed in detecting nitroaromatic compounds because of their electron-rich property. G-P is more sensitive and selective toward 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) compared with G-B. The sensing mechanisms were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopic experiments and theoretical calculations. From these experimental results, it is proposed that electron transfer occurs from the electron-rich G-P molecule to the electron-deficient TNP because of the possibility of complex formation between G-P and TNP. The G-P molecule could detect TNP in water, organic solvent media, as well as using test strips. It is worth mentioning that the organogel G-P can not only detect TNP but also remove TNP from the solution into the organogel system.

Steric-Structure-Dependent Gel Formation, Hierarchical Structures, Rheological Behavior, and Surface Wettability.

A series of bicholesteryl-based gelators with different central linker atoms C, N, and O (abbreviated to GC, GN, and GO, respectively) have been designed and synthesized. The self-assembly processes of these gelators were investigated by using gelation tests, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, field-emission transmission electron microscopy, UV/Vis absorption, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, rheology, and contact-angle experiments. The gelation ability, self-assembly morphology, rheological, and surface-wettability properties of these gelators strongly depend on the central linker atom of the gelator molecule. Specifically, GC and GN can form gels in three different solvents, whereas GO can only form a gel in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Morphologies from nanofibers and nanosheets to nanospheres and nanotubes can be obtained with different central atoms. Gels of GC, GN, and GO formed in the same solvent (DMF) have different tolerances to external forces. All xerogels gave a hydrophobic surface with contact angles that ranged from 121 to 152°. Quantum-chemical calculations indicate that the GC, GN, and GO molecules have very different steric structures. The results demonstrate that the central linker atom can efficiently modulate the molecular steric structure and thus regulate the supramolecular self-assembly process and properties of gelators.

Bis-naphthalimides self-assembly organogel formation and application in detection of p-phenylenediamine

Two new gelators containing bis-naphthalimides group were designed and synthesized. The gelator 1b could form gels in DMF and mixed solvent of DMSO/H2O (10/1, v/v). The self-assembly processes of 1b in two kinds of solvents were detailedly investigated by UV-vis, fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction and contact angle experiments. The experiment results showed the hydrogen bonding was the main force for the gel formation. The gel 1b formed in mixed solvent of DMSO/H2O (10/1, v/v) possessed of the ability of distinguishing of o-phenylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine and p-phenylenediamine. At the same time, the gelator 1b could selectively and sensitively detect p-phenylenediamine in solution with the detection limit of 8.961×10-8ML-1. The detection experiment was also confirmed by DFT theoretical calculations. This research would expand the supramolecular self-assembly materials application in sensor field and offer a new detection method for organic amines.

Superhydrophobic surface formation and modulation in a biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride derivative self-assembly system via changing alkyl chain lengths

A series of organogelators (C4, C6, C12 and C18) based on biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride derivative were designed and synthesized. The organogels could be obtained via self-assembly of the biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride derivatives in some frequently-used solvents. The organogels were thoroughly characterized using various microscopic techniques including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis and fluorescence spectra, contact angle. Interestingly, superhydrophobic surface was formed via the self-assembly of compound C12 in petroleum ether and exhibited the lotus-effect. The surface wettability could be modulated via changing alkyl chain lengths. The π–π stacking and van der Waals force were possible the main driving forces for gel formation. This gel system held promise for soft materials application in upscale superhydrophobic surface materials.

Regulation gel formation, hierarchical structures and surface wettability via isomeride effect in supramolecular organogel system

A new serial of gelators with two cholesteryl groups based on o-phenylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine and p-phenylenediamine were synthesized, and their organogelation ability was evaluated. We found that G-o could form gels in DMF, DMSO and ethyl acetate, G-m and G-p could only gel DMF and 1,4-dioxane. The organogels were thoroughly characterized using various microscopic techniques including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectrum, FT-IR spectrum and contact angle. The gelation ability, morphology, self-assembly mode and materials surface wettability all could be tuned via isomeride effect in self-assembly system. Interestingly, superhydrophobic surface was formed via the self-assembly of compound G-p in 1,4-dioxane and exhibited very high adsorption capacity for water. This gel system provided new method for modulation self-assembly process in supramolecular field.

Melamine tunable effect in a lenalidomide-based supramolecular self-assembly system via hydrogen bonding

In this study, a new gelator containing lenalidomide and cholesterol groups was synthesized, which could form stable gels in 1,4-dioxane and mixed solvents of DMF/H2O (v/v, 1/1). The self-assembly process was studied and certified by field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis, IR, XRD, and CA. Based on the results obtained from the abovementioned analyses, the self-assembly structure, aggregation pattern, and surface wettability could be tuned via the addition of melamine due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding between compound 1 and melamine (MA). The irregular lumpy and the closely packed fiber structures could be turned into microbelt and sparse fiber structures after the addition of MA, respectively. Moreover, the hydrophobicity of the xerogel film of 1-MA was obviously increased. The mechanical strength of gel 1-MA was obvisously enhanced due to the addition of MA. The UV-vis, IR, and XRD experiment results showed that the self-assembly process and mode of 1 was changed due to the addition of MA through intermolecular hydrogen bonding between 1 and MA. Therefore, these results provide a method for the regulation of the self-assembly process via intermolecular noncovalent interaction.