Self-Assembly of DNA Nanostructures in Different Cations

The programmable nature of DNA allows the construction of custom-designed static and dynamic nanostructures, and assembly conditions typically require high concentrations of magnesium ions that restricts their applications. In other solution conditions tested for DNA nanostructure assembly, only a limited set of divalent and monovalent ions are used so far (typically Mg²⁺ and Na⁺). Here, we investigate the assembly of DNA nanostructures in a wide variety of ions using nanostructures of different sizes: a double-crossover motif (76 bp), a three-point-star motif (~134 bp), a DNA tetrahedron (534 bp) and a DNA origami triangle (7221 bp). We show successful assembly of a majority of these structures in Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Li⁺ and provide quantified assembly yields using gel electrophoresis and visual confirmation of a DNA origami triangle using atomic force microscopy. We further show that structures assembled in monovalent ions (Na⁺, K⁺ and Li⁺) exhibit up to a 10-fold higher nuclease resistance compared to those assembled in divalent ions (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺). Our work presents new assembly conditions for a wide range of DNA nanostructures with enhanced biostability.     

Dip‐Pen‐Nanolithographic Patterning of Metallic,Semiconductor, and Metal Oxide Nanostructures on Surfaces

Dip‐pen nanolithography (DPN) is a powerful method to pattern nanostructures on surfaces by the controlled delivery of an “ink” coating the tip of an atomic force microscope upon scanning and contacting with surfaces. The growing interest in the use of nanoparticles as structural and functional elements for the fabrication of nanodevices suggests that the DPN‐stimulated patterning of nanoparticles on surfaces might be a useful technique to assemble hierarchical architectures of nanoparticles that could pave methodologies for functional nanocircuits or nanodevices. This Review presents different methodologies for the nanolithographic patterning of metallic, semiconductor, and metal oxide nanostructures on surfaces. The mechanisms involved in the formation of the nanostructures are discussed and the effects that control the dimensions of the resulting patterns are reviewed. The possible applications of the nanostructures are also addressed.

     

Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly: An Emerging Tool for Generating Polymer-Based Biohybrid Nanostructures

The combination of biomolecules and synthetic polymers provides an easy access to utilize advantages from both the synthetic world and nature. This is not only important for the development of novel innovative materials, but also promotes the application of biomolecules in various fields including medicine, catalysis, and water treatment, etc. Due to the rapid progress in synthesis strategies for polymer nanomaterials and deepened understanding of biomolecules’ structures and functions, the construction of advanced polymer-based biohybrid nanostructures (PBBNs) becomes prospective and attainable. Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), as an efficient and versatile technique in obtaining polymeric nano-objects at high concentrations, has demonstrated to be an attractive alternative to existing self-assembly procedures. Those advantages induce the focus on the fabrication of PBBNs via the PISA technique. In this review, current preparation strategies are illustrated based on the PISA technique for achieving various PBBNs, including grafting-from and grafting-through methods, as well as encapsulation of biomolecules during and subsequent to the PISA process. Finally, advantages and drawbacks are discussed in the fabrication of PBBNs via the PISA technique and obstacles are identified that need to be overcome to enable commercial application.     

Scanned Probe Microscopy‐Mediated Patterning of Metallic Nanostructures

Engineering sub‐100 nm features on surfaces is of increasing importance for the development of new device technologies. To this end, researchers are developing scanned probe based approaches for the patterning of nanoscale metallic structures on surfaces.     

嵌段共聚物自组装模板--构造纳米结构的一种新方法

纳米结构的构造在整个纳米科技中有着特殊重要的意义．如何低成本、大规模地实现纳米结构材料的控制合成与组装一直是纳米加工中的热点问题．高分子嵌段共聚物分子结构独特，包含着热力学不相容的不同高分子嵌段，并由化学键相连．通过控制外界条件，嵌段共聚物可以自组装成高度规则的超分子结构，特征尺寸为10nln～100nm．以嵌段共聚物膜自组装相分离图案为模板，或把这种图案复制到其它材料上，通过刻蚀等技术可以制备纳米结构模板，再经纳米铸造得到相应结构的纳米材料和纳米器件，文中主要介绍嵌段共聚物自组装模板的原理、模板图案的调控方法和模板应用，并详细阐述了各自的发展状况。     

聚酰亚胺膜分子自组装与激光诱导图形化学镀铜

为了摒弃化学镀铜中价格昂贵、环境污染的活化工艺,将分子自组装技术与激光诱导化学镀技术结合,在聚酰亚胺薄膜(PI)上成功实现了图形化微米级金属铜沉积:将PI薄膜通过KOH溶液进行表面水解;经离子交换和高温处理在PI表面束缚纳米银粒子,在PI表面自组装上一层十二硫醇的自组装膜;再用聚焦的激光光刻产生预期的图形,最后实施化学镀后,在PI表面上实现金属铜的图形化沉积.采用XPS,AFM,SEM,ATR-FTIR,半导体特性分析系1统和视频光学接触角测量仪等跟踪表征各过程.结果显示:沉积的铜线宽度为30μm,选择性、导电性良好,本法为化学镀技术提供一种新技术,可用于电子行业.     

Nature-Inspired Emerging Chiral Liquid Crystal Nanostructures: From Molecular Self-Assembly to DNA Mesophase and Nanocolloids

Liquid crystals (LCs) are omnipresent in living matter, whose chirality is an elegant and distinct feature in certain plant tissues, the cuticles of crabs, beetles, arthropods, and beyond. Taking inspiration from nature, researchers have recently devoted extensive efforts toward developing chiral liquid crystalline materials with self-organized nanostructures and exploring their potential applications in diverse fields ranging from dynamic photonics to energy and safety issues. In this review, an account on the state of the art of emerging chiral liquid crystalline nanostructured materials and their technological applications is provided. First, an overview on the significance of chiral liquid crystalline architectures in various living systems is given. Then, the recent significant progress in different chiral liquid crystalline systems including thermotropic LCs (cholesteric LCs, cubic blue phases, achiral bent-core LCs, etc.) and lyotropic LCs (DNA LCs, nanocellulose LCs, and graphene oxide LCs) is showcased. The review concludes with a perspective on the future scope, opportunities, and challenges in these truly advanced functional soft materials and their promising applications.     

Scanning Probe Lithography Patterning of Monolayer Semiconductors and Application in Quantifying Edge Recombination

Scanning probe lithography is used to directly pattern monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) without the use of a sacrificial resist. Using an atomic‐force microscope, a negatively biased tip is brought close to the TMD surface. By inducing a water bridge between the tip and the TMD surface, controllable oxidation is achieved at the sub‐100 nm resolution. The oxidized flake is then submerged into water for selective oxide removal which leads to controllable patterning. In addition, by changing the oxidation time, thickness tunable patterning of multilayer TMDs is demonstrated. This resist‐less process results in exposed edges, overcoming a barrier in traditional resist‐based lithography and dry etch where polymeric byproduct layers are often formed at the edges. By patterning monolayers into geometric patterns of different dimensions and measuring the effective carrier lifetime, the non‐radiative recombination velocity due to edge defects is extracted. Using this patterning technique, it is shown that selenide TMDs exhibit lower edge recombination velocity as compared to sulfide TMDs. The utility of scanning probe lithography towards understanding material‐dependent edge recombination losses without significantly normalizing edge behaviors due to heavy defect generation, while allowing for eventual exploration of edge passivation schemes is highlighted, which is of profound interest for nanoscale electronics and optoelectronics.     

Large-Scale Patterning of Reactive Surfaces for Wearable and Environmentally Deployable Sensors

Wearable interfaces are central to multiple healthcare and wellness strategies encompassing diet and nutrition, personalized health monitoring, and performance optimization. Specifically, the advent of flexible electronic formats coupled with microfluidic interfaces has resulted in sophisticated conformal devices for biofluid sampling and quantification. Here, a complementary approach is presented to wearable sensing by using a large-scale, conformal, distributed format that relies on the use of biomaterial-based inks to print and stabilize deterministic patterns of biochemical reporters with high resolution. Colorimetric devices can vary in size and a sensing T-shirt based on a colorimetric pattern is developed to illustrate the utility that such formats can add to the wearable interface space. Image analysis allows parameter variation to be tracked in real-time, yielding a map-like format of distributed biophysical response.     

基于自组装单分子层技术的单晶硅表面化学镀镍工艺优化

传统的化学镀镍前处理会对单晶硅造成严重影响,进而影响两者的结合。以单因素条件设计并结合4因素3水平正交试验,对单晶硅表面进行改性活化处理,优选出化学镀镍的处理条件为:羟基化处理15h,偶联处理48h,再在化学镀液中于90℃下施镀1h,在此条件下对单晶硅化学镀镍可以获得的沉积速度高达6.137mg/(cm2.h),且镀层与硅片结合牢固,颗粒品质优良。     

Toward Cluster Materials with Ordered Structures via Self-Assembly of Heterocluster Janus Molecules

Cluster materials have attracted much attention because of their unique chemical and physical properties, hitherto unseen in bulk materials. Inspired by the lipid self-assembly principle, a series of heterocluster Janus molecules (HCJMs) with atomic precision have been rationally designed and synthesized by connecting different clusters via covalent bonds for the construction of nanomaterials and nano-objects. Due to their amphiphilicity, HCJMs self-assemble into cluster-containing nanomaterials or nano-objects with versatile ordered structures beyond those observed in conventional crystals. Their hybrid composition and nanoscale size are also greatly advantageous in the study of their fine structure by electron microscopy techniques, and enable their formation mechanisms to be unraveled. Finally, the influence of the characteristics of the HCJMs on the structure and properties of the self-assembled nano-objects are explored comprehensively. This synthesis strategy will promote further development of cluster materials with advanced functions via rational molecular design toward the construction of hierarchical nanostructures via molecular self-assembly.