In quest of a systematic framework for unifying and defining nanoscience

Abstract

This article proposes a systematic framework for unifying and defining nanoscience based on historic first principles and step logic that led to a “central paradigm” (i.e., unifying framework) for traditional elemental/small-molecule chemistry. As such, a Nanomaterials classification roadmap is proposed, which divides all nanomatter into Category I: discrete, well-defined and Category II: statistical, undefined nanoparticles. We consider only Category I, well-defined nanoparticles which are >90% monodisperse as a function of Critical Nanoscale Design Parameters (CNDPs) defined according to: (a) size, (b) shape, (c) surface chemistry, (d) flexibility, and (e) elemental composition. Classified as either hard (H) (i.e., inorganic-based) or soft (S) (i.e., organic-based) categories, these nanoparticles were found to manifest pervasive atom mimicry features that included: (1) a dominance of zero-dimensional (0D) core–shell nanoarchitectures, (2) the ability to self-assemble or chemically bond as discrete, quantized nanounits, and (3) exhibited well-defined nanoscale valencies and stoichiometries reminiscent of atom-based elements. These discrete nanoparticle categories are referred to as hard or soft particle nanoelements. Many examples describing chemical bonding/assembly of these nanoelements have been reported in the literature. We refer to these hard:hard (H-n:H-n), soft:soft (S-n:S-n), or hard:soft (H-n:S-n) nanoelement combinations as nanocompounds. Due to their quantized features, many nanoelement and nanocompound categories are reported to exhibit well-defined nanoperiodic property patterns. These periodic property patterns are dependent on their quantized nanofeatures (CNDPs) and dramatically influence intrinsic physicochemical properties (i.e., melting points, reactivity/self-assembly, sterics, and nanoencapsulation), as well as important functional/performance properties (i.e., magnetic, photonic, electronic, and toxicologic properties). We propose this perspective as a modest first step toward more clearly defining synthetic nanochemistry as well as providing a systematic framework for unifying nanoscience. With further progress, one should anticipate the evolution of future nanoperiodic table(s) suitable for predicting important risk/benefit boundaries in the field of nanoscience.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11051-009-9632-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Dendrimers: syntheses, toxicity, and applications toward catalysis, environmental sciences, and nanomedecine

“…[5][6][7] The latter are now classified in different types according to a series of criteria. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The intrinsic properties of the dendritic organic moiety 10,[18][19][20] are designed according to the targeted applications [21][22][23][24] or to confer specific features to the hybrid materials when supported on inorganic supports. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] In the area including energy and green chemistry, recently, major advances have been made in this regard by synthesizing metalorgano-aluminosilicates through in-situ synthesis of metal nanoparticles within the entanglements of supported dendrimers.…”

Functionalization of a Triazine Dendrimer Presenting Four Maleimides on the Periphery and a DOTA Group at the Core

“…Molecules 2016, 21,335 4 of 15 the parent maleimide. That is, reaction of 7 and A produces 7-A1 (or just 7-A), whereas the product of three additions of D to 1 is identified as 1-D3.…”

“…Theranostic nanoparticles come in many varieties including magnetic [7], silica [8][9][10], gold/quantum dots [11][12][13], graphene [14], liposomal [15,16], and polymeric [17,18]. Dendritic materials offer a compelling platform in this area [19,20] given the opportunity to exquisitely control chemistry to manipulate any number of properties displayed across multiple nanoparticle classes, so-called nanoperiodicity [21][22][23], including size, ligand density and solubility. Versatility is a key criterion for the design of such targets.…”

Self‐Assembly of Amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers into Mechanically Robust Supramolecular Hydrogels for Sustained Drug Release

“…[25] In addition to gels, dendrimers and dendrons readily mediate the formation of ordered hierarchical assemblies. [14,[26][27][28][29][30] In this work we utilize amphiphilic Janus dendrimers based on Percec-type constitutionally isomeric AB2 and AB3 O-alkylated benzyls (hydrophobic blocks) and hydroxyl terminated 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid (bis-MPA) polyester frame (hydrophilic blocks) to form supramolecular hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties at very low mass proportion (0.2 per cent by mass). We further confirm the fibrous structure morphology and study the release of active enzymes, peptides and small molecule drugs from the gels (Figure 1).…”