Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
08:39
Liquid-cell Transmission Electron Microscopy for Tracking Self-assembly of Nanoparticles
Published on: October 16, 2017
13.2K
Nanoparticle-laden droplets of liquid crystals: Interactive morphogenesis and dynamic assembly
Yunfeng Li1,2, Nancy Khuu2, Elisabeth Prince2
1State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
Science Advances
|July 9, 2019
Summary
Researchers demonstrate nanoparticle organization within cholesteric liquid crystals (Ch LCs) using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). This study reveals dynamic shape changes in both NPs and Ch-CNC hosts, enabling programmable assembly for advanced soft materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Soft Matter Physics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Defects in liquid crystals act as templates for nanoparticle organization.
- Assembly of nanoparticles within cholesteric liquid crystals is an emerging field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactive morphogenesis of nanoparticle assemblies and cholesteric liquid crystal hosts.
- To explore nanoparticle organization strategies in cholesteric liquid crystals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to form cholesteric liquid crystalline hosts.
- Studied nanoparticle (NP) assembly within these Ch-CNC hosts at varying concentrations.
- Investigated programmable assembly using magnetic nanoparticles.
Main Results:
- Observed concentration-dependent shape and structural changes in both NPs and Ch-CNC hosts.
- At low NP loading, NPs formed toroidal or cone-shaped assemblies.
- Increased NP loading induced reversible droplet transformation to a core-shell morphology with NPs in the core and disclinations.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a strategy for nanoparticle organization in cholesteric liquid crystals.
- Showcased programmable assembly of magnetic nanoparticles within Ch-CNC droplets.
- Broadened the spectrum of architectures for soft nanostructured materials.
Related Concept Videos
02:19Morphogenesis
30.3K
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
30.3K
02:42Ionic Crystal Structures
16.9K
Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
16.9K
02:58Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
30.7K
Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
30.7K
02:46Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
48.3K
Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
48.3K
01:25Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization
4.9K
Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
4.9K
02:41Protein Complex Assembly
16.7K
Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
16.7K