Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/81742

Title

Engineering molecular self-assembled fibrillar networks by ultrasound

Author(s)

Wang, Rong-Yao;  Liu, Xiang-Yang;  Li, Jing-Liang

Abstract

The architecture of self-organized three-dimensionally interconnected nanocrystal fibrillar networks has been achieved by ultrasound from a solution consisting of separate spherulites. The ultrasound stimulated structural transformation is correlated to the striking ultrasonic effects on turning nongelled solutions or weak gels into strong gels instantly, with enhancement of the storage modulus up to 3 magnitudes and up to 4 times more gelling capability. The basic principle involved in the ultrasound-induced structural transformation is established on the basis of the nucleation-and-growth model of a fiber network formation, and the mechanism of seeding multiplication, aggregation suppressing, and fiber distribution and growth promotion is proposed. This novel technique enables us to produce self-supporting gel functional materials possessing significantly modified macroscopic properties, from materials previously thus far considered to be "useless", without the use of chemical stimuli. Moreover, it provides a general strategy for the engineering of self-organized fiber network architectures, and we are consequently able to achieve the supramolecular functional materials with controllable macroscopic properties.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

Crystal Growth and Design, Vol. 9, no. 7 (Jul 2009), pp. 3286-3291

Publication year

2009

FOR Code(s)

0306 Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural);  0912 Materials Engineering

Keyword(s)

Fibre networks;  Microengineering;  Nanocrystal fibrillar networks;  Spherulites;  Ultrasound

Publisher

American Chemical Society

ISSN

1528-7483

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cg9000494

Copyright

Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society.

Peer reviewed