Dynamic self-assembly of ions with variable size and charge in solution

Abstract

Recently it was found that at ambient temperatures and in specific ternary solvents a cationic macrocyclic tetraimidazolium molecular box and small dianionic salts can self-assemble into highly defined, colloid-like ionic clusters, called ionoids.

Fluorescence imaging of a potential diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer cells using a peptide-functionalized fluorogenic 2D material

“…This suggests that the presence of 2D MoS 2 could enhance the binding of the peptide probe with membrane-bound PROCR probably through a clustering effect, as observed in our previous research. 28 A subsequent cell proliferation assay indicated that the peptide probe was not toxic to MDA-MB-231 cells (Fig. S7, ESI †), suggesting its good compatibility for in-depth pharmacological investigations.…”

Self-assembled sialyllactosyl probes with aggregation-enhanced properties for ratiometric detection and blocking of influenza viruses

“…2c). We observed that the electronegativity of VR was increased after assembly with DCM26; the increased absolute value of zeta potential of the probe with respect to VR aggregates alone suggests an increased stability of the self-assembled system [31]. The hydrodynamic diameter of DCM26 in PBS was determined to be as low as ca.…”

Shape, Size, and Internal Dynamics of Loosely Bound Colloidlike Ionic Clusters in Ternary Solvent Systems

“…The molar ratios set the starting points along the connecting line of the temporal development in solution (essentially following a lever-type rule, see Supporting Information and ref for details) for all new solvent mixtures and are directly comparable to the IEDs in the established solvent . As we have stated in ref : “starting from these points, we plot at the right y -axis the eccentricity to define deviations from a perfect sphere (with a value of e = 0) versus the final size of the ionic cluster, illustrating the shape and its deviation from a perfect, isotropic sphere of the self-assembled entities. Additionally, we include the time beginning from the complete incubation period of 10 days (blue full dots) until the last measurement day (arrow to blue crossed dots).…”

“…As introduced in our previous studies, ,, the following terms (adapted from ref ) are used to describe the ISA process for all the measured systems in solution: globular ionoids: spherical, highly stable structures with a hydrodynamic diameter between 10 and 25 nm as well as an eccentricity lower than e < 0.25 anisotropic ionic clusters: structures with deviations from a spherical structure and/or slightly extended dimensions ion cloud: initial state after sample preparation with larger entities of R H > 100 nm. …”

“…As described in refs, , the Litesizer 500 (Anton Paar GmbH, Graz, Austria) was used for recording DLS. Besides DLS, this device is capable of performing zeta potential, transmittance, and refractive index measurements as well as static light scattering.…”