KES11-0126
Bio-Inspired Functional Materials via Hierarchical Assembly
Topic
S11. PMSE–PSK50 Anniversary Symposium: Advancing Polymer Science for a Sustainable and Intelligent Future
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
10:50 - 11:15
Room 110
Session Chairs
Jeong Jae WIE
Presenter(s)
Vladimir Tsukruk (Georgia Instutte of Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Biological hierarchical structures combine specialized geometrical arrangement with compositional makeup to create unique architectures capable of adaptation and multifunctional behavior. Natural polysaccharides self-assemble in helicoidal domains, creating specific refractive planes giving off iridescent structural as discussed here.
Firstly, we present hierarchical supramolecular assemblies with giant chiroptical activity and mechanical attributes achieved through co-assembly of achiral amphiphilic unimolecular micelles and chiral additives. Chiral fibrillar assemblies emerge from the nanostructured environment imposed by the micelles for full-color circularly polarized luminescence-active materials. Next, we discuss a chiroptical flexible film composed of an array of linearly aligned plasmonic nanosphere chains with an elastic polymer substrate. These nanomaterials are capable of high light polarization rotation and a g-factor in NIR wavelength. The configuration offers dynamical and reversible tuning of critical chiroptical characteristics via the assembly angle of plasmonic chains and the stretching degree of substrates. Furthermore, we report the highly stretchable composite materials and branched ionic polymers with terminal amine-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) stacked between elastomeric layers. These layered elastomeric composites preserve the high mechanical stretchability and the enhanced toughness, due to the sequential initiation and arresting of concurrent transversal cracks. Finally, double Bouligand films show enhanced compressive mechanics and added elastic recovery after deformation. Real-time crack propagation mechanisms under mechanical load with in-situ picoindentation demonstrated that these unique twisted laminated films displayed a tortuous crack propagation pathway due to the abrupt rotational change that facilitates higher structural stiffness and enhanced structural recovery critical for crack-arresting composite materials.
Firstly, we present hierarchical supramolecular assemblies with giant chiroptical activity and mechanical attributes achieved through co-assembly of achiral amphiphilic unimolecular micelles and chiral additives. Chiral fibrillar assemblies emerge from the nanostructured environment imposed by the micelles for full-color circularly polarized luminescence-active materials. Next, we discuss a chiroptical flexible film composed of an array of linearly aligned plasmonic nanosphere chains with an elastic polymer substrate. These nanomaterials are capable of high light polarization rotation and a g-factor in NIR wavelength. The configuration offers dynamical and reversible tuning of critical chiroptical characteristics via the assembly angle of plasmonic chains and the stretching degree of substrates. Furthermore, we report the highly stretchable composite materials and branched ionic polymers with terminal amine-terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) stacked between elastomeric layers. These layered elastomeric composites preserve the high mechanical stretchability and the enhanced toughness, due to the sequential initiation and arresting of concurrent transversal cracks. Finally, double Bouligand films show enhanced compressive mechanics and added elastic recovery after deformation. Real-time crack propagation mechanisms under mechanical load with in-situ picoindentation demonstrated that these unique twisted laminated films displayed a tortuous crack propagation pathway due to the abrupt rotational change that facilitates higher structural stiffness and enhanced structural recovery critical for crack-arresting composite materials.
