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Multiscale Structures Aggregated by Imprinted Nanofibers for Functional Surfaces
Published on: September 11, 2018
Understanding factors affecting alignment of self-assembling nanofibers patterned by sonication-assisted solution
Albert M Hung1, Samuel I Stupp
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3108, USA.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|April 7, 2009
Summary
Sonication-assisted solution embossing (SASE) aligns peptide amphiphile nanofibers. Stiffer nanofibers align less effectively, but ultrasonic agitation and narrow channels (400 nm) improve alignment.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Peptide amphiphile (PA) nanofibers self-assemble into complex nanostructures.
- Soft lithography techniques enable patterning of nanomaterials.
- Sonication-assisted solution embossing (SASE) is a novel technique for large-area PA nanofiber patterning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of ultrasonication, channel width, and nanofiber persistence length on PA nanofiber alignment via SASE.
- To quantify nanofiber alignment using polarized infrared spectroscopy.
- To correlate nanofiber stiffness with alignment efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Utilized sonication-assisted solution embossing (SASE) for nanofiber patterning.
- Employed polarized transmission and reflection infrared spectroscopy to determine alignment.
- Analyzed atomic force microscopy (AFM) images to estimate nanofiber persistence length.
- Investigated effects of varying ultrasonication and channel dimensions.
Main Results:
- Achieved orientation parameters up to 0.4 for aligned nanostructures.
- Estimated persistence lengths ranged from 2.0 to 11 µm, varying with molecular structure.
- Found that stiffer nanofibers (longer persistence length) exhibited reduced alignment.
- Observed enhanced alignment with ultrasonic agitation and 400 nm channel confinement.
Conclusions:
- SASE is effective for aligning PA nanofibers.
- Nanofiber stiffness is a critical factor influencing alignment efficiency.
- Optimizing SASE parameters, including ultrasonic energy and channel confinement, enhances nanofiber alignment.
