Disguise tactics: Peptide–polymer hybrid nanotubes are constructed in which self‐assembled cyclic peptides govern the structure, and a synthetic polymer coating determines the surface chemistry. Formation of the latter is initiated in situ from preorganized peptide building blocks. The picture shows an AFM image of nanotubes on a silicon wafer.

Numerous luminophores may be encapsulated into silica nanoparticles (< 100 nm) using the reverse microemulsion process. Nevertheless, the behaviour and effect of such luminescent molecules appear to have been much less studied and may possibly prevent the encapsulation process from occurring. Such nanospheres represent attractive nanoplatforms for the development of biotargeted biocompatible luminescent tracers. Physical and chemical properties of the encapsulated molecules may be affected by the nanomatrix. This study examines the synthesis of different types of dispersed silica nanoparticles, the ability of the selected luminophores towards incorporation into the silica matrix of those nanoobjects as well as the photophysical properties of the produced dye-doped silica nanoparticles. The nanoparticles present mean diameters between 40 and 60 nm as shown by TEM analysis. Mainly, the photophysical characteristics of the dyes are retained upon their encapsulation into the silica matrix, leading to fluorescent silica nanoparticles. This feature article surveys recent research progress on the fabrication strategies of these dye-doped silica nanoparticles.

Field-effect transistor structures based on polydiacetylene (PDA) derivatives have been fabricated. Monolayer channels of UV polymerized pentacosa-10,12-diynoic ethanolamide exhibit modulation of source-drain current on application of a gating voltage. Comparison of the two-dimensional crystal morphology of this material with several closely related derivatives that show no gating suggests that a high degree of alignment and order in the polymer chains is necessary for the observed transistor action.

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Umhüllungstaktik: Peptid‐Polymer‐Hybridnanoröhren wurden hergestellt, deren Struktur durch selbstorganisierte cyclische Peptide vorgegeben wird und deren Oberflächenchemie durch eine synthetische Polymerhülle eingestellt werden kann. Diese wird in situ mithilfe von Initiatoren erzeugt, die auf den cyclischen Peptiden gebunden sind (Bild: AFM‐Aufnahme von Peptid‐Polymer‐Hybridnanoröhren auf einem Siliciumwafer).

Different lanthanide chelates have been simultaneously embedded in a silica matrix yielding bright dual-mode lanthanide doped nanospheres which are uniform in size distribution, tunable, photostable, and leakage free. Depending on the chelate combination, two color emission with a single light source or tunable emission with multiple sources is obtained.

A new pathway for the generation of polymer‐based microfluidic devices with tailor‐made surface chemistry is described. A simple photochemical process is used to covalently bind polymer molecules to the surfaces of microchannels fabricated by hot embossing. The substrates for the embossing process have the format of a compact disk (CD). CDs from polymethylmethacrylate and polyethylene‐co‐norbornene were chosen due to their good optical properties. Thin films of polymers containing photoactive benzophenone units were deposited onto the surface of the thus generated devices. These films were subsequently irradiated with UV light leading to the surface‐attachment of ultrathin polymer networks. In contrast to their unmodified peers, the obtained, modified microfluidic channels coated with hydrophilic, photoattached layers can be filled in a straightforward manner with water by capillary forces. Channels coated by thin films of poly(ethyloxazoline) show complete resistance to non‐specific protein binding. Generation of hydrophobic patches inside the modified microfluidic channels using benzophenone‐containing fluoropolymers allows the generation of passive microfluidic valves to direct fluid motion in these CD‐based devices.magnified image

ABSTRACT:A new nanocomposite material consisting of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP) and vermiculite is synthesized by the intercalative redox polymerization of VP in the gallery of copper(II) ion-exchanged vermiculite. The formation of a single filament of the polymer in the gallery is confirmed by the increase in gallery spacing of 4.7 Å as indicated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Electron spin resonance studies confirm the presence of Cu(II) upon ion exchange and its absence following redox polymerization. The amount of polymer present in the gallery is found to be ϳ18 -19 mass % by thermogravimetric analysis. Confining the polymer to the gallery spacing in vermiculite results in enhanced thermal stability that is evident from the increase in the initial decomposition temperature by ϳ300°C. Differential scanning calorimetry of the nanocomposite indicates that the polymer is confined to a restricted geometry because of the absence of a glass-transition temperature, which confirms the XRD finding. The IR absorption peaks corresponding to PVP and the expected PVP UV -* transition at 275 nm, along with the XRD and thermal data confirms that the gallery expansion is due to the PVP filament.