Real-time observation of fiber network formation in molecular organogel : supersaturation-dependent microstructure and its related rheological property

Low-molecular mass organic gelators self-organizing into three-dimensional fiber networks within organic solvents have attracted much attention in recent years. However, to date, how the microstructure of fiber network is formed in a gelation process and the key factors that govern the topological structure of a gel network remain to be determined. In this work, we address these issues by investigating the in situ formation of the gel networks in the N-lauroyl-l-glutamic acid di-n-butylamide (GP-1)/propylene glycol (PG) system. By using optical microscopy, the time evolution of the gel network microstructure was investigated under various supersaturation conditions. It is found that supersaturation is one of the key factors that govern the topological structure of a gel network. In particular, the creation of the junctions turns out to be supersaturation-dependent. The rheological experiments further revealed the correlation between topological structure and mechanical properties. It suggests that the rheological properties can be effectively modified by tuning the microstructure topology of the gel network. Our results reported here provide new physical insight into the formation kinetics of a molecular gel. Furthermore, this work could be important in constructing and engineering a supramolecular structure for the purpose of applications.

Architecture of a biocompatible supramolecular material by supersaturation-driven fabrication of fiber network

The architecture of a biocompatible organogel formed by gelation of a small molecule organic gelator, N-lauroyl-l-glutamic acid di-n-butylamide, in isostearyl alcohol was investigated based on a supersaturation-driven crystallographic mismatch branching mechanism. By controlling the supersaturation of the system, the correlation length that determines the mesh size of the fiber network was finely tuned and the rheological properties of the gel were engineered. This approach is of considerable significance for many gel-based applications, such as controlled release of drugs that requires precise control of the mesh size. A direct cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging technique capable of preserving the network structure was used to visualize its nanostructure.

Unusual corrugated nanowires of zinc oxide

We report an previous termunusualnext term morphology of ZnO previous termnanowiresnext term with a hexagonal cross-section and previous termcorrugatednext term side walls. previous termNanowiresnext term grow along the [0 0 0 1] direction and possess side walls built predominantly with facets of {1 0 1¯ 1} and {1 0 1¯ 1¯} families. Such a morphology deviates dramatically from the well-known growth habit of ZnO previous termnanowiresnext term that involves smooth side walls represented by {1 0 1¯ 0} or {1 1 2¯ 0} facets with the lowest surface energy. The formation of previous termcorrugated nanowiresnext term is attributed to the lateral growth activated by the high vapor supersaturation and the presence of stacking faults.

Microengineering of supramolecular soft materials by design of the crystalline fiber networks

Crystalline spherulitic fiber networks are commonly observed in polymeric and supramolecular functional materials. The elasticity of materials with this type of network is low if interactions between the individual spherulites are weak (mutually exclusive). Improving the elasticity of these materials is necessary because of their important applications in many fields. In this work, the engineering of the microstructures and rheological properties of this type of material is carried out. A small molecule organogel formed by the gelation of N-lauroyl-L-glutamic acid di-n-butylamide (GP-1) in propylene glycol (PG) is used as an example. The elasticity of this material is improved by controlling the thermodynamic driving force, the supersaturation of the gelator, and by using a selected copolymer additive to manipulate the primary nucleation of GP-1. Because of the weak interactions between the GP-1 spherulites, with the same fiber mass, the elasticity of GP-1/PG gel is less than half of those of the other two gels formed by GP-1 and 2-hydroxystearlic acid in solvent benzyl benzoate (BB), which are supported by interconnecting spherulitic fiber networks. This work develops a robust approach to the engineering of supramolecular functional materials especially those with mutually exclusive spherulite fiber networks.

Nano-precipitation : preparation and application in the field of pharmacy

Over the last 30 years, nanoparticle-based medicine has received tremendous attention due to its advances with smart therapeutics and less toxicity. Few nanomedicine products have been approved for commercial use in the clinic (such as Doxil®, Ambraxane®…). Nanomedicine research is still at its early stage and the preparation of nanoparticles must be carefully considered. Systems involving further increased supersaturation, either via solvent evaporation, temperature reduction or anti-solvent mixture, were suggested to be capable of inducing nanoprecipitation (NPT). Since this technique is straight-forward, fast and easy to duplicate in practice, it is highly preferred and recommended. In this review, the process of NTP was described and discussed in detail. Factors that affect the encapsulation efficiency, the nanoparticle size, the morphology and the stability of nanoparticles prepared by NTP were described. This process is one of the most preferable processes for preparing solid nano-protein due to their elegant techniques that preserve the bioactivity of proteins. Although the production of nanoparticles by this process has not been applied in the pharmaceutical industry due to the organic solvent issue, the production equipment for large-scale has been marketed.

EBSD and AFM observations of the microstructural changes induced by low temperature plasma carburising on AISI 316

Low temperature plasma carburising (LTPC) has been increasingly accepted as a hardening process for austenitic stainless steels because it produces a good combination of tribological and corrosion properties. The hardening mechanism is based on the supersaturation of the austenitic structure with carbon, which greatly hardens the material, significantly expands the fcc unit cell, produces high levels of compressive residual stresses and, ultimately, leads to the occurrence of deformation bands and rotation of the crystal lattice. The microstructural changes introduced during plasma carburising have a significant impact on the mechanical, tribological and corrosion performance and, for this reason, the microstructure of expanded austenite or S-phase has been extensively studied. However, modern surface characterisation techniques could provide new insights into the formation mechanism of S-phase layers. In this work, backscattered electron diffraction and atomic force microscopy were used to characterise the surface layers of expanded austenite produced by LTPC in an active screen furnace. Based on the experimental results, the plastic deformation, its dependence on crystallographic orientation, the evolution of grain boundaries, and their effects on mechanical, tribological and corrosion properties are discussed. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.