Bio-Inspired Synthesis and Assembly of Nanocrystals

描述（由申请人提供）：一种生物启发的方法将用于设计基于分子识别的多价表面活性剂，该表面活性剂将控制纳米晶体的形态，尺寸分布和有序组装。一种双重策略将用于形成应用于生物成像和控制药物输送的组件。特定晶体形态的自下而上生长将通过设计分子来实现，这些分子既可以识别也可以附着在特定的晶体表面。通过对一系列添加剂的系统评价，可以更好地理解晶体表面分子识别事件导致纳米晶体形态控制的机理。同样的分子将被用于通过附在选定面上的功能的超分子组装来指导一维、二维和/或三维有序阵列的形成。这种控制纳米晶体形态和组装的方法解决了该领域的许多现有挑战。例如，针对特定面部功能的能力将使双功能纳米晶体的合成成为可能，这种纳米晶体既可以针对特定组织，也可以输送药物。合成还将提供一种方法，专门功能化对称相关的面与分子构建块设计，以促进聚集在非紧密排列的几何形状。这些聚集体可以用来控制药物的释放。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A bio-inspired approach will be used to design multi-valent surfactants which, based upon molecular recognition, will control the morphology, size distribution and ordered assembly of nanocrystals. A two-fold strategy will be used to form assemblies that have applications in biological imaging and controlled drug delivery. The bottom-up growth of specific crystalline morphologies will be accomplished using molecules designed to both recognize and attach to specific crystallographic faces. The systematic evaluation of a series of additives will produce a better mechanistic understanding of the molecular recognition events at the crystalline surface that lead to morphological control of nanocrystals. The same molecules will be used to direct the formation of ordered arrays in one-, two- and/or three-dimensions via supramolecular assembly of the functionality attached to selected faces. This approach to controlling nanocrystal morphology and assembly addresses many of the existing challenges in this field. For example, the ability to target functionality to specific faces will allow the synthesis of bifunctional nanocrystals that can be targeted to specific tissues as well as deliver a drug. Synthesis will also provide a means of specifically functionalizing symmetry related faces with molecular building blocks designed to promote aggregation in non-close-packed geometries. These aggregates can then be used for the controlled release of drugs.