Volume 59, Issue 36 pp. 15424-15446
Review

Nanoarchitectonics beyond Self-Assembly: Challenges to Create Bio-Like Hierarchic Organization

Prof. Katsuhiko Ariga

Corresponding Author

Prof. Katsuhiko Ariga

WPI Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044 Japan

Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561 Japan

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Dr. Xiaofang Jia

Dr. Xiaofang Jia

WPI Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044 Japan

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Dr. Jingwen Song

Dr. Jingwen Song

Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8561 Japan

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Dr. Jonathan P. Hill

Dr. Jonathan P. Hill

WPI Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044 Japan

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Prof. David Tai Leong

Corresponding Author

Prof. David Tai Leong

Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117585 Singapore

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Dr. Yi Jia

Dr. Yi Jia

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Lab of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

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Prof. Junbai Li

Corresponding Author

Prof. Junbai Li

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), CAS Key Lab of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

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First published: 14 March 2020
Citations: 222

Graphical Abstract

Simple self-assembly methods cannot be used to attain high-level organizations such as those found in biological systems. The introduction of non-equilibrium processes and harmonization of multiple actions is required. As a novel methodology beyond self-assembly, nanoarchitectonics, whose main conceptual aim is the formation of functional materials from nanoscopic units through the fusion of different scientific disciplines, has been proposed for the creation of bio-like high functionality hierarchically organized structures.

Abstract

Incorporation of non-equilibrium actions in the sequence of self-assembly processes would be an effective means to establish bio-like high functionality hierarchical assemblies. As a novel methodology beyond self-assembly, nanoarchitectonics, which has as its aim the fabrication of functional materials systems from nanoscopic units through the methodological fusion of nanotechnology with other scientific disciplines including organic synthesis, supramolecular chemistry, microfabrication, and bio-process, has been applied to this strategy. The application of non-equilibrium factors to conventional self-assembly processes is discussed on the basis of examples of directed assembly, Langmuir–Blodgett assembly, and layer-by-layer assembly. In particular, examples of the fabrication of hierarchical functional structures using bio-active components such as proteins or by the combination of bio-components and two-dimensional nanomaterials, are described. Methodologies described in this review article highlight possible approaches using the nanoarchitectonics concept beyond self-assembly for creation of bio-like higher functionalities and hierarchical structural organization.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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