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Functional Noncentrosymmetric Nanoparticle-Nanofiber Hybrids via Selective Fragmentation.

Harvey K MacKenzieYifan ZhangWeijia ZhengHuda ShaikhLiam R MacFarlaneRebecca A MusgraveIan Manners
Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024)
Noncentrosymmetric nanostructures are an attractive synthetic target as they can exhibit complex interparticle interactions useful for numerous applications. However, generating uniform, colloidally stable, noncentrosymmetric nanoparticles with low aspect ratios is a significant challenge using solution self-assembly approaches. Herein, we outline the synthesis of noncentrosymmetric multiblock co-nanofibers by subsequent living crystallization-driven self-assembly of block co-polymers, spatially confined attachment of nanoparticles, and localized nanofiber fragmentation. Using this strategy, we have fabricated uniform diblock and triblock noncentrosymmetric π-conjugated nanofiber-nanoparticle hybrid structures. Additionally, in contrast to Brownian motion typical of centrosymmetric nanoparticles, we demonstrated that these noncentrosymmetric nanofibers undergo ballistic motion in the presence of H 2 O 2 and thus could be employed as nanomotors in various applications, including drug delivery and environmental remediation.
Keyphrases
  • drug delivery
  • high resolution
  • photodynamic therapy
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • high speed
  • cancer therapy
  • computed tomography