Electroactive Amphiphiles for Addressable Supramolecular Nanostructures

Abstract

In this focus review we aim to highlight an exciting class of materials, electroactive amphiphiles (EAAs). This class of functional amphiphilic molecules has been the subject of sporadic investigations over the last few decades, but little attempt has been made to date to gather or organise these investigations into a logical fashion. Here we attempted to gather the most important contributions, provide a framework in which to discuss them, and, more importantly, point towards the areas where we believe these EAAs will contribute to solving wider scientific problems and open new opportunities. Our discussions cover materials based on low molecular weight ferrocenes, viologens and anilines, as well as examples of polymeric and supramolecular EAAs. With the advances of modern analytical techniques and new tools for modelling and understanding optoelectronic properties, we believe that this area of research is ready for further exploration and exploitation.

Self-Assembling Hydrogel Structures for Neural Tissue Repair

“…Despite these current limitations, the approaches taken in these associated fields that employ self-assembly techniques demonstrate the tuneability and feasibility of developing 3D conductive self-assembling networks for neural repair. 342 , 343 For example, highly conductive BTBT amphiphiles are commonly formed in organic solvents, but recently, it has been demonstrated that self-assembly of these molecules can be achieved in aqueous conditions, in a first step toward a tissue engineering application. 344 Interest in these π-conjugated peptides for biomaterial applications will continue to grow because of the tuneability and nontoxic nature of self-assembling electroactive molecules.…”

“…Furthermore, the stability and degradation of electroactive scaffolds in physiological environments is not well understood. Despite these current limitations, the approaches taken in these associated fields that employ self-assembly techniques demonstrate the tuneability and feasibility of developing 3D conductive self-assembling networks for neural repair. , For example, highly conductive BTBT amphiphiles are commonly formed in organic solvents, but recently, it has been demonstrated that self-assembly of these molecules can be achieved in aqueous conditions, in a first step toward a tissue engineering application . Interest in these π-conjugated peptides for biomaterial applications will continue to grow because of the tuneability and nontoxic nature of self-assembling electroactive molecules. , Understanding the various methods that have been used to tailor the electronic properties of π-conjugated oligomer self-assembling systems is crucial to determining their compatibility for neural tissue engineering.…”

“…Smart conductive materials are emerging for bioelectronics applications where the versatility of SAPs could be harnessed for functional electro-neural interface therapies promoting neural regeneration. Chromophore and electroactive peptides have been studied for in vivo drug delivery and tracing and imaging of tumors and have demonstrated good biocompatibility and stability. ,,, However, more work needs to be done on the application of electroactive self-assembling scaffolds for neural regeneration. Material development of biocompatible and electrically tunable SAPs needs to be undertaken with specific attention to biocompatibility of the components and self-assembly mechanism for injection in vivo .…”

Tunable Self-Assembled Nanostructures of Electroactive PEGylated Tetra(Aniline) Based ABA Triblock Structures in Aqueous Medium

“…Self-assembly is the simplest approach toward the production of highly ordered functional assemblies of molecules in a wide range of interesting morphologies (e.g., various micellar structures, nanorods, nanoribbons, nanofibers, amongst others) (Gröschel and Müller, 2015; Townsend et al, 2018). Such structures have potential applications in the field of nanotechnology, biomedicine, tissue engineering and drug delivery (Kutikov and Song, 2015; Li et al, 2017; Zhou et al, 2017; Park et al, 2018; Liua et al, 2019).…”

A unique amphiphilic triblock copolymer, nontoxic to human blood and potential supramolecular drug delivery system for dexamethasone

“…All of these characteristics of supramolecular biomaterials can potentially be achieved through rational design.Self-assembly is a key approach to form supramolecules through noncovalent interactions 6 . An amphiphilic molecule containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments, when coming close to water, self-assembles into different shapes and sizes of supramolecules depending upon its nature [7][8][9] . Critical micelle concentration (CMC) is the minimum concentration at which stable micelle formation occurs.…”