Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules
Abstract
Unique properties (e.g., rubber elasticity, viscoelasticity, folding, reptation) determine the utility of polymer molecules and derive from their morphology (i.e., one-dimensional connectivity and large aspect ratios) and flexibility. Crystals do not display similar properties because they have smaller aspect ratios, they are rigid, and they are often too large and heavy to be colloidally stable. We argue, with the support of recent experimental studies, that these limitations are not fundamental and that they might be overcome by growth processes that mimic polymerization. Furthermore, we (i) discuss the similarities between crystallization and polymerization, (ii) critically review the existing experimental evidence of polymer-like growth kinetic and behavior in crystals and nanostructures, and (iii) propose heuristic guidelines for the synthesis of “polymer-like” crystals and assemblies. Understanding these anisotropic materials at the boundary between molecules and solids will determine whether we can confer the unique properties of polymer molecules to crystals, expanding them with topology, dynamics, and information and not just tuning them with size.
- Authors:
-
- Iowa State University
- Ames Laboratory
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1132291
- Report Number(s):
- IS-J 8195
Journal ID: ISSN 1521-4095
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-07CH11358
- Resource Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Materials (Online)
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 25; Journal Issue: 35; Journal ID: ISSN 1521-4095
- Publisher:
- Wiley
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; POLYMERS; CRYSTALLIZATION; NANOSTRUCTURES; nanowires; polymers; crystallization; nanostructures; self-assembly
Citation Formats
Shaw, Santosh, and Cademartiri, Ludovico. Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules. United States: N. p., 2013.
Web. doi:10.1002/adma.201300850.
Shaw, Santosh, & Cademartiri, Ludovico. Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201300850
Shaw, Santosh, and Cademartiri, Ludovico. 2013.
"Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201300850.
@article{osti_1132291,
title = {Nanowires and Nanostructures That Grow Like Polymer Molecules},
author = {Shaw, Santosh and Cademartiri, Ludovico},
abstractNote = {Unique properties (e.g., rubber elasticity, viscoelasticity, folding, reptation) determine the utility of polymer molecules and derive from their morphology (i.e., one-dimensional connectivity and large aspect ratios) and flexibility. Crystals do not display similar properties because they have smaller aspect ratios, they are rigid, and they are often too large and heavy to be colloidally stable. We argue, with the support of recent experimental studies, that these limitations are not fundamental and that they might be overcome by growth processes that mimic polymerization. Furthermore, we (i) discuss the similarities between crystallization and polymerization, (ii) critically review the existing experimental evidence of polymer-like growth kinetic and behavior in crystals and nanostructures, and (iii) propose heuristic guidelines for the synthesis of “polymer-like” crystals and assemblies. Understanding these anisotropic materials at the boundary between molecules and solids will determine whether we can confer the unique properties of polymer molecules to crystals, expanding them with topology, dynamics, and information and not just tuning them with size.},
doi = {10.1002/adma.201300850},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1132291},
journal = {Advanced Materials (Online)},
issn = {1521-4095},
number = 35,
volume = 25,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Sep 20 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Fri Sep 20 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}