Franziska Gröhn

• Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg

pH-responsive polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers are used as well-defined building blocks to design light-switchable nano-assemblies in solution. The complex interplay between the photoresponsive di-anionic azo dye Acid Yellow 38 (AY38) and the cationic PAMAM dendrimers of different generations is presented in this study. Electrostatic self-assembly...

Electrostatic self-assembly of macroions is an emerging area with great potential in the development of nanoscale functional objects, where photo-irradiation responsiveness can either elevate or suppress the self-assembly. The ability to control the size and shape of macroion assemblies would greatly facilitate the fabrication of desired nano-objec...

Electrostatic self-assembly of photoacids with oppositely charged macroions yields supramolecular nano-objects in aqueous solutions, whose size is controlled through light irradiation. Nano-assemblies are formed due to electrostatic attractions and mutual hydrogen bonding of the photoacids. Irradiation with UV light leads to the deprotonation of th...

A disulfide‐based polymer is used as a template for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Three different syntheses were tested: The simultaneous formation of gold nanoparticles and the disulfide polymer ( A ), the loading of a disulfide polymer matrix with HAuCl 4 and then reducing with hydrazine ( B ), and reducing HAuCl 4 with hydrazine in presen...

Using electrostatic self-assembly and electrostatic nanotemplating, a quaternary nanostructured system consisting of zinc oxide nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, poly[3-(potassium-4-butanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (PT), and methyltrioctylammonium chloride (MTOA) (PT-MTOA-ZnO-Au) was designed for aqueous photocatalysis. The PT-MTOA hollow sphere aggr...

Multi‐switchable supramolecular nano‐objects that respond to irradiation of different wavelengths with changes in size and shape have been built from two different water‐soluble molecular switches, joined by attachment to the same polyelectrolyte. Accordingly, two wavelength‐specific reactions, namely the excited‐state proton dissociation of a phot...

A facile synthesis of catalytically tunable core-shell CdS-ZnxMn1-xS-nanoparticles in conjunction with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and porphyrin in an aqueous solution is described in the following: The shell composition of the inorganic nanoparticles is varied to tune the optical properties and to optimize the catalytic activity. Further, the tetrava...

We demonstrate a versatile route to functional multi-component nanostructures by a hierarchical electrostatic nanotemplating – self-assembly approach: CdS–polyelectrolyte–porphyrin structures are formed in aqueous solution.

Blue and green emitting methyl ammonium lead bromide perovskite particles with improved UV-light stability have been developed by tuning structure and stabilization with a mixture of different single- and double-tailed surfactants. The ratio of the long alkyl chain surfactants to the methyl ammonium bromide allows for tailoring of the emission colo...

The design of functional nano-objects by electrostatic self-assembly in solution signifies an emerging field with great potential. More specifically, the targeted combination of electrostatic interaction with other effects and interactions, such as the positioning of charges on stiff building blocks, the use of additional amphiphilic, π−π stacking...

Electrostatic self-assembly for the formation of well-defined nano-objects in solution represents an emerging field. The key is to use building blocks with a certain geometry and/or a combination of noncovalent interaction types. Polyelectrolytes providing both stability and designability are especially valuable. Central for a targeted design is th...

The photocatalytic activity and selectivity of novel binary and ternary composite nanostructures from polyethylene oxide‐stabilized zinc oxide (PEO–ZnO) with and without polyoxometalate (H4[Si(W3O10)4], POM) are determined in aqueous solution under UV‐light. Mono‐ and di‐COOH‐end‐functionalized PEO polymers are used as surface modifiers, influencin...

A protecting group strategy was employed to synthesise a series of indolenine squaraine dye oligomers up to the nonamer. The longer oligomers show a distinct solvent dependence of the absorption spectra, that is, either a strong blue shift or a strong red shift of the lowest energy bands in the near infrared spectral region. This behaviour is expla...

Light- and pH-responsive nano-assemblies with switchable size and structure are formed by the association of a photoacid, anthocyanidin, and a linear polyelectrolyte in aqueous solution. Specifically, anionic disulfonated naphthol derivatives, neutral hydroxyflavylium, and cationic poly(allylamine) are used as building blocks for the ternary electr...

In the scientific race to build up photoactive electron donor‐acceptor systems with increasing efficiencies, little is known about the interplay of their building blocks when integrated into supramolecular nanoscale arrays, particularly in aqueous environments. Here, we describe an aqueous donor‐acceptor ensemble whose emergence as a nanoscale mate...

In this study, light-responsive nano-assemblies with light-switchable size based on photoacids are presented. Anionic disulfonated napthol derivates and cationic dendrimer macroions are used as building blocks for electrostatic self-assembly. Nanoparticles are already formed under the exclusion of light as a result of electrostatic interactions. Up...

Die Synergie zwischen verschiedenen nichtkovalenten Wechselwirkungen wird moduliert, um supramolekulare Hybride als Elektronen‐Donor‐Akzeptor‐Systeme bestehend aus kationischen Zink(II)pththalocyaninen und anionischen wasserlöslichen Fullerenen zu erhalten. In den gewonnenen monokristallinen Strukturen sind alle fundamentalen Prozesse der natürlich...

We report on the impact of the central heteroatom on structural, electronic, and spectroscopic properties of a series of spirofluorene‐bridged heterotriangulenes and provide a detailed study on their aggregates. The in‐depth analysis of their molecular structure by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography was further complemented by density funct...

Gemeinsam etwas bewirken: Der Einbau von Heteroatomen in spirokonjugierte Triangulene und die damit verbundene Struktur‐Eigenschafts‐Beziehung wurde untersucht. Im Fokus stehen die molekulare und elektronische Struktur, die duale Fluoreszenz (Kern und Seitengruppen) und das Aggregationsverhalten in Solvens‐Antisolvens‐Gemischen. Abstract Wir beric...

Novel light-responsive nano-assemblies with switchable size and enzymatic activity are built from a protein and a water-soluble spiropyran. Assemblies are created by electrostatic self-assembly in aqueous solution such that the photochromic property of the spiropyran enables light responsiveness. Upon visible light exposure, the aggregate size incr...

We present charge-transfer assemblies of electron accepting, pressure-synthesized carbon nanodots (pCNDs) and an electron donating porphyrin. Amidine derivatization of the porphyrin allows for hydrogen bonding interactions with the carboxyl groups...

Front Cover: Switching Shape through Light: The front cover illustrates a versatile, triggerable self‐organization presented by Franziska Gröhn and colleagues in article number 1700860. Electrostatic self‐assembly of polyelectrolytes and light‐switchable counterions leads to micrometer‐long, flexible cylinders with defined nanoscale diameter, exhib...

The formation of a novel porphyrin colloidal structure has been investigated—so called microneedles. The porphyrin colloids consist of the tetravalent anionic tetra-(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) and the tetravalent cationic tetra-(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP), forming ionic organic solid particles in ethanol. The structure dependence...

A light-triggered shape change of supramolecular nanostructures is achieved through electrostatically self-assembly of linear polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged dyes in aqueous solution: Upon UV-irradiation, 1-µm-long, flexible cylinders with a cross-section of 10 nm convert into ellipsoids of 400 nm × 40 nm. The nano-object shape is encoded i...

This study investigates the influence of different metal centers in porphyrins and of different polyelectrolyte architectures on the formation of supramolecular metalloporphyrin–polyelectrolyte assemblies in aqueous solution via electrostatic self-assembly. Metal-analogues of the tetravalent anionic meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin (with...

We present a novel, self-assembled nanostructure with selective photocatalytic activity formed from anionic polyoxometalate clusters and cationic dendrimers by electrostatic self-assembly. The association of the components in aqueous solution is driven by ionic interactions and steric factors yielding stable aggregates of a defined size with a coil...

Systems that can be controlled through external triggers are of interest for a variety of applications from medicine to energy conversion. Here, the effects of pH on the electrostatic self-assembly of generation four poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and a divalent azo dye, keeping constant the charge ratio, are discussed. Nanoparticles stabilized by an...

A novel self-assembled organic-inorganic hybrid structure with enhanced photocatalytic activity is presented. In article number 1600421, Franziska Gröhn and co-workers describe the electrostatic self-assembly of zinc oxide nanoparticles and two oppositely charged porphyrins into micro-rhombuses in solution. This study builds a promising key for app...

Dendrimer–dye assemblies are used as novel supramolecular nanoreactors for the formation of various gold nanostructures. The organic–inorganic hybrid systems are investigated with dynamic light scattering, UV–vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as cryo-TEM and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM). We show that the shape of t...

2.6 to 4.0 nm sized ZnO nanoparticles were interconnected by meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) for the realization of novel ZnO-TCPP networks, reaching lateral dimensions ranging from 50 to 800 nm. The resulting ZnO-TCPP networks were probed by dynamic light-scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and spectroscopy, as well as tested...

In this study, a new type of functional, self-assembled nanostructure formed from porphyrins and polyamidoamine dendrimers based on hydrogen bonding in an aqueous solution is presented. As the aggregates formed are promising candidates for solar-energy conversion, their photocatalytic activity is tested using the model reaction of methyl viologen r...

A novel self-assembled organic–inorganic hybrid structure consisting of zinc oxide and two oppositely charged porphyrins, showing significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity, is presented. Electrostatic self-assembly of the cationic tetra-(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP) with preformed assemblies of ZnO nanorods and the anionic tetra-(4-sul...

In this study, the self-assembly of ionic porphyrins and polyelectrolytes in dependence on the polyelectrolyte architecture and molecular mass is investigated systematically. The systems consist of tetravalent anionic meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin (TPPS), which is combined with different positively charged macroions: poly(amidoamine) d...

A new type of functional supramolecular assembly is formed by combining cationic porphyrin (TAPP) and the anionic generation 7.5 (G7.5) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer in aqueous solution at basic pH. The interplay of noncovalent interactions is used as a key to control the formation of supramolecular structures and thereby to improve the photoc...

A new type of light responsive nanoscale assemblies based on water-soluble spiropyrans is presented. We have synthesized four anionic spiropyrans bearing multiple sulfonate groups and investigated their photochromic behavior in aqueous solution. Depending on the pH either inverse photochromism (acidic conditions) or normal photochromism (alkaline c...

Combining chemically different building blocks in supramolecular nanoparticles is a promising key to tailored structures and functionalities. Pi-pi heterostacks of dye molecules form upon electrostatic self-assembly with a polyelectrolyte, resulting in stable ternary nanoassemblies in aqueous solution. Core-shell spheres, cylinders and flexible cyl...

In this study, we introduce a versatile polyelectrolyte-photosensitizer self-assembled system based on non-covalent interaction showing highly efficient photocatalytic behavior in terms of methyl viologen reduction. The photocatalytic performance of the dendrimer-dye system under visible light irradiation is modified to be more than 6-times higher...

We present a fundamental study on ZnO nanorod–porphyrin assembly formation in solution, providing the key to novel tunable hybrid assemblies with potential in solar energy conversion. The combination of 40 nm ZnO nanorods with ionic porphyrins – meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) and meso-tetra-(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) – results...

The fundamental understanding of the driving forces in electrostatic self-assembly is highly desirable for the design of novel systems and of more effective synthesis strategies. The focus of this study is the effects of the electrostatic interaction on supramolecular self-assembled nanoparticles formed by cationic dendrimers as model polyelectroly...

Developing effective and versatile photocatalytic systems is of great potential in solar energy conversion. Here we investigate the formation of supramolecular catalysts by electrostatic self-assembly in aqueous solution: Combining positively charged porphyrins with negatively charged polyelectrolytes leads to nanoscale assemblies where, next to el...

The interplay of several non-covalent interaction forces is used as key to supramolecular structures. Combining cationic alkyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactants and the divalent anionic azo dye Acid Red 26 (Ar26) as small building blocks in aqueous solution, electrostatic interactions of the oppositely charged building blocks in combination with...

The rational design of supramolecular nanoparticles by self-assembly is a crucial field of research due to the wide applications and the possibility of control through external triggers. Understanding the shape-determining factors is the key for tailoring nanoparticles with desired properties. Here, we show how the thermodynamics of the interaction...

A novel concept for the formation of organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures based on a tunable supramolecular templating mechanism involving several types of noncovalent interactions is presented. Different organic-inorganic hybrid structures with narrow size distributions composed of a cationic dendrimer, an oppositely charged divalent diazo dye,...

Immunglobulin G (IgG) sialylation represents a key checkpoint that determines the engagement of pro- or anti-inflammatory Fcγ receptors (FcγR) and the direction of the immune response. Whether IgG sialylation influences osteoclast differentiation and subsequently bone architecture has not been determined yet, but may represent an important link bet...

In this study, a new type of filamentous structures consisting of a generation 9 poly(amido amine) dendrimer (G9) and CdS is reported. The linearity of the interconnected dendrimers is a result of the electrostatic repulsion between the multiply charged dendrimer macroions. Structures have been investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and tra...

Conformational changes in the conjugated backbone of poly- and oligodiacetylenes (PDAs and ODAs) play an important role in determining the electronic properties of these compounds. At the same time, conformational changes can also result in a folded structure that shows helical chirality. Using D-camphor as a chiral building block, we have designed...

Konformationsänderungen des konjugierten Rückgrats von Poly- und Oligodiacetylenen (PDAs und ODAs) spielen bei der Bestimmung der elektronischen Eigenschaften dieser Verbindungen eine wichtige Rolle. Gleichzeitig können Konformationsänderungen auch zu gefalteten Strukturen führen, die helikale Chiralität aufweisen. Durch Verwendung von D-Campher al...

Five newly functionalized pentaazamacrocyclic manganese complexes, with variable lengths and amounts of the aliphatic groups (three compounds with one linear chain containing 12, 16, and 22 carbon atoms, i.e., MnL1, MnL2, and MnL3, respectively, as well as two compounds containing two C12 and C16 chains, MnL4 and MnL5, respectively) that are deriva...

Gold or CdS nanoparticles and ionic dye molecules can form supramolecular assemblies with a defined size between 100 to 300 nm when using a macroion as template and connector. The picture shows the arangement of gold, dendrimer, and dye in the hybrid assembly (blue sphere: dendritic macroion, red spheres: gold, red bars: ionic dye).

Gegensätze ziehen sich an: Gold- oder CdS-Nanopartikel und ionische Farbstoffmoleküle können supramolekulare Aggregate mit einer definierten Größe zwischen 100 und 300 nm bilden, wenn man ein Makroion als Templat und Bindeglied verwendet. Das Bild zeigt das erhaltene Gold-Dendrimer-Farbstoff-Aggregat (blaue Kugeln: dendritisches Makroion, rote Kuge...

This study presents electrostatically self-assembled nanoparticles from linear flexible polyelectrolytes (poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride or quarternized poly(4-vinylpyridine)) and an ionic photo-isomerizable azo dye (Acid Yellow 38) that can change their size upon UV-light irradiation. Assemblies with narrow size distribution are stable in a...

Recently we have introduced a novel type of self-assembled ``nano-objects'' in solution: From the association of macroions and multivalent counterions well-defined and stable structures in the shape of spheres, rod, rings, hollow spheres and networks can form in solution. Using light-addressable counterions, it is possible to switch the particle si...

A new type of catalytically active self-assembled nanostructures in aqueous solution is presented. Polyelectrolyte-porphyrin nanoscale assemblies consisting of anionic cylindrical poly(styrene sulfonate) brush molecules and cationic tetravalent meso-tetrakis(4-N-methyl-pyridinium)porphyrin (TMPyP) or meso-tetrakis(4-(trimethyl-ammonium)phenyl)-porp...

The self-assembly of triple-zwitterion 1 in dimethyl sulfoxide is described. 1 forms dimers which polymerize upon increasing concentration into flexible twisted ribbons. These ribbons finally coil into soft nanospheres. The step-wise aggregation process is primarily based on the very strong tendency of the self-complementary guanidiniocarbonyl pyrr...

Supramolecular nanoparticles represent a key field in recent research as their synthesis through self-assembly is straightforward and they often can respond to external triggers. A fundamental understanding of structure-directing factors is highly desirable for a targeted structure design. This contribution demonstrates a quantitative relation betw...

This study describes the influence of polyelectrolyte building block nature on the formation of supramolecular polyelectrolyte-dye nanoparticles self-assembled through electrostatic interactions of the oppositely charged building units and π-π interactions in-between dye molecules ("electrostatic self-assembly"). The anionic azo dye Acid Red 26 (Ar...

A modular construction kit with two orthogonal noncovalent binding sites for self-assembly of supramolecular architectures is presented. The heteroditopic building blocks contain a terpyridine (tpy) unit for coordination of metal ions and a Hamilton receptor for multiple H-bonding of cyanuric acid derivatives. The association constants of ligand bi...

The low molecular weight heteroditopic monomer 1 forms supramolecular polymers in polar solution as shown, for example, by infrared laser-based dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), electron microscopy (TEM, cryo-TEM), and viscosity measurements. Self-assembly of 1 is based on two orthogonal binding interactions, th...

In this study, electrostatic self-assembly of different polystyrene sulfonates and a set of tetravalent cationic porphyrins is investigated. It is shown that association of linear polystyrene sulfonates of different molar masses yields finite size nanoscale assemblies that are stable in aqueous solution. Aggregates are compared to the ones of cylin...

In this study, we present a novel, multifaceted pH-triggerable system of self-organized hierarchical nanostructures. The system consists of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) and poly(2-vinylpyridine) cylindrical brushes (PVP brushes) and can yield polymer-porphyrin networks, porphyrin loaded polymer brushes and pure porphyrin nanorod...

Electrostatic self-assembly of polyelectrolytes and photoresponsive dye counterions can yield supramolecular nanoparticles in aqueous solution, the size of which can be controlled through light irradiation with varying wavelengths. Nanoparticles are formed from fourth-generation poly(amido amine) dendrimers and an excess of the oppositely charged a...

Supramolecular structures that can respond to external triggers are of high interest for example for nanotechnology or drug delivery. Recently we have introduced an approach to electrostatic self-assembly for the formation of supramolecular particles in solution: polyelectrolytes and multivalent stiff organic counterions build well-defined and stab...

Cylindrical poly(styrene sulfonate) brushes were combined with a tetravalent double-DABCO based counterion. With increasing addition of counterion, hydrodynamic radius and radius of gyration decrease and AFMreveals a conformation change from wormlike to curled structures. Rg/Rh changes from 1.3 to 0.9. Above charge stoichiometry, brushes become int...

This article focuses on the physical chemical aspects of the formation of supramolecular nanoparticles with defined size and varying shape through electrostatic self-assembly of macroions and multivalent aromatic counterions. For cationic poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and different di- and trivalent sulfonate groups carrying azo dyes, the onset of in...

Licht steuert Größe: Eine neue Art selbstorganisierter supramolekularer Nanopartikel reagiert auf UV-Bestrahlung mit einer Größenänderung (siehe Bild). Das doppelt-responsive System vereint eine lichtsteuerbare Größe mit pH-induziertem Schalten zwischen nanoskaligen Aggregaten und molekularen Baueinheiten. Das Konzept hinter der Bildung von Nano-Ob...

Light controls size: A novel type of self-organized supramolecular nanoparticles can change their size upon irradiation with UV light (see picture). The doubly responsive system combines a light-triggered size with a pH-induced switching between nanoscale aggregates and molecular building blocks. The nano-objects form by a combination of ionic and...

Electrostatic self-assembly is an important area presenting fascinating opportunities for the design of functional and responsive nanostructures. In this contribution we highlight a recent approach that allows the formation of nanoscale assemblies with a variety of shapes – spheres, rods, hollow spheres, networks and rings – from macroions and mult...

Back Cover: A new type of vesicle forms by electrostatic self-assembly. Supramolecular hollow spheres are formed from two hydrophilic building blocks in aqueous solution. Inclusion of fluorescently labeled guest molecules demonstrates the potential as a carrier system and the prospect of constructing functional nano-objects by electrostatic self-as...

Electrostatic self‐assembly can be used to form supramolecular vesicles in aqueous solution. Vesicles consist of cationic G8 poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and the trivalent sulfonate dye Ar27. No classical amphiphiles are present but the interplay of electrostatics, π – π interaction and geometric factors influences the structure formation. Labeled g...

We investigated the association of linear cationic model polyelectrolytes with oppositely charged pyrenetetrasulfonate in aqueous solution. Water soluble ionenes were prepared via Menschutkin reaction from 1‐4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) and dibromoalkenes. UVVis results revealed that PY molecules bind to ionenes in a cooperative process due...

In this study, the association ("electrostatic self-assembly") of cationic generation 4 poly(amidoamine) dendrimer with a set of oppositely charged aromatic and aliphatic organic sulfonate counterions was investigated. Aggregate size and shape depend on the counterion structure. Formation of defined assemblies was possible with stiff, mutually inte...

In this study, complexes of DNA with different organic di- and tetravalent counterions were systematically investigated in solution and on a surface. The complexation behavior was studied by dynamic light scattering, static light scattering, atomic force microscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Results show that both div...

The association of poly(ethylene oxide-b-methacrylic acid) and poly(amidoamine) dendrimers was examined by dynamic light scattering and small angle neutron scattering. With increasing amounts of the G4 dendrimer as the counterion, the size of the assemblies increases until it reaches a hydrodynamic radius of about 70 nm. The structure is consistent...

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

We report on the electrostatic self-assembly of negatively charged cylindrical polystyrenesulfonate (NaPSS) brushes and stiff organic counterions of different valency. In particular, the tetravalent cationic porphyrin meso-tetrakis(4-(trimethylammonium)phenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) yielded two new supramolecular architectures that are stable in aqueous s...

We introduce and discuss the recently developed concept of electrostatic self‐assembly for the formation of nanoscale assemblies in solution. As opposed to many approaches to self‐assembly relying on amphiphilicity, the driving force here is electrostatics plus secondary interaction such as stacking of aromatic molecule parts: Polyelectrolyte dendr...

Electrostatic self-assembly in aqueous solution allows formation of supramolecular cylindrical structures that can be switched “on” and “off” by pH. One can reversibly switch between 5 nm building blocks and defined 150 nm assemblies. The system presented in the Communication by I. Willerich and F. Gröhn on page 9112 ff., consists of dendrimer macr...

The supramolecular structures formed by electrostatic self-assembly of macroions and multivalent dye counterions in aqueous solution was investigated. The G4 dendrimer used was a cationic macroion with 64 charges at pH 6.5 and 126 charges at pH 3.5. The linker was the oppositely charged water-soluble divalent azo dye with two strongly acidic sulfon...

The electrostatic self-assembly of macroions and organic counterions to form supramolecular architectures was studied. Small-angle neutron scattering was performed at beamline ID2, ESRF, Gre-noble. Data were analyzed by Fourier Transformation into the pair distance distribution function P(r). Data analysis of the cross-section P(r) shows a homogene...

The self-assembly of the l-alanine derived zwitterion 3 leads to the formation of soft vesicles in solution even though this surprisingly small molecule does not possess the classical amphiphilic features of other vesicle-forming monomers.

The synthesis of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) via a liquid precursor to give spherical particles with monodisperse distribution of diameters in the range of 0.4–1.2μm has been optimized to the level to obtain multigram yields per batch. The synthesis was achieved by precipitation of ACC from a strongly alkaline solution of calcium chloride (Ca...

We report the effect of gold nanoparticles encapsulated into the shell-forming PAMAM dendrimers on the assembly and properties of multilayer microshells. We demonstrate that the PAMAM-encapsulated gold nanoparticles change dramatically the optical spectroscopic properties of microcapsule dispersions, without significantly affecting the stiffness of...

Cylindrical polyelectrolyte brushes from poly(styrenesulfonate) were synthesized by polymer analogous hydrolysis from the corresponding dodecyl and ethyl ester brushes. These brushes were characterized in solution (GPC−MALLS, static and dynamic light scattering, SANS, and 1H NMR), and on solid interfaces (AFM and TEM). It was shown that the cylindr...

The most recent developments in two areas: (a) synthesis of inorganic particles with control over size and shape by polymer additives, and (b) synthesis of inorganic-polymer hybrid materials by bulk polymerization of blends of monomers with nanosized crystals are reviewed. The precipitations of inorganics, such as zinc oxide or calcium carbonate, i...

Kleines Molekül, große Strukturen: Das Verknüpfen zweier zwitterionischer Bindungsmotive mit einem lipophilen Alkyllinker liefert ein amphiphiles Bis-Zwitterion, das sich sogar in polaren Lösungen zu Vesikeln organisiert. Die Daten sprechen dafür, dass zwei Bis-Zwitterionen dimerisieren und anschließend, vermutlich ausgelöst durch H-Brücken und Van...

The formation of inorganic structures in nature is commonly controlled by biogenic macromolecules. The understanding of mineralization phenomena and the nucleation and growth mechanisms involved is still a challenge in science but also of great industrial interest. This article focuses on the formation and mineralization of two archetypical inorgan...

Macromonomers from SSE were synthesized via ATRP with initiators carrying functional groups that are polymerizable by Suzuki polycondensation. The material obtained had a monomodal molar mass distribution with a polydispersity of 1.3–1.6. The reaction kinetics in bulk and in solution were monitored by in situ ¹ H NMR spectroscopy. Rate constants an...

Cylindrical polymer brushes from PSSE and PSSD have been synthesized by a ‘grafting from’ approach by ATRP in solution. Starting from macroinitiators with 570 and 1 600 repeat units, and 10–100% reactive site density, PSSD brushes with 10–40% grafting density and PSSE brushes with 10–100% grafting density are obtained. The brushes have been charact...

Cover: The picture shows three representations of the structure of a cylindrical polymer brush: on the right, a cartoon representation of a polymer brush illustrates the molecules' architecture. The molecular formula gives the chemical structure of the polymer brushes (bottom left). A 3D‐plot of one of the AFM images presented in the article illust...

The conformation of cylindrical brush polymers with a polymethacrylate main and polystyrene side chains (6 ≤ ≤ 33, with the number-average degree of polymerization of the side chains) were studied by combined light and small-angle neutron scattering experiments. The results reveal that the main chain stiffness expressed in terms of the Kuhn statist...

Quaternized polymer combs based on poly(2-vinylpyridine-macromonomers) and the surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate are employed in the synthesis of a novel cylindrical polyelectrolyte-comb-surfactant complex (PECSC). The complex formed has 1:1 stoichiometry with respect to the ratio of dodecylsulfate to pyridinium units. It is soluble in organic solve...

The preparation of carboxylated hyperbranched polyglycerols of narrow polydispersity was achieved by modification (78-90%) of the hydroxyl end groups via Michael addition of acrylonitrile, followed by hydrolysis. High conversion could only be achieved for low molecular weight starting materials (520 and 1,030 g mol(-1)). The solution properties of...

Der Trend geht zu maßgeschneiderten Polymerarchitekturen und -morphologien sowie selbstorganisierten supramolekularen Strukturen. Dabei ist die Polymerchemie stark interdisziplinär: Von der Renaissance klassisch „organischer” Synthesekonzepte spannt sich der Bogen bis zu Nanoteilchen für biomedizinische Anwendungen – Grundlagenforschung und Anwendu...