Structure transcription

Use of the LbL technique is not restricted to the preparation of planar thin films. One of the most outstanding strategy modifications of the LbL technique involves assembly on colloidal particles followed by hollow capsule formation. For example, Caruso and co-workers reported the formation of hollow silica vesicles through LbL assembly on colloidal nanoparticle templates (Fig. 14). Polyelectrolytes and smaller silica particles were initially formed on a larger colloidal core, which was subsequently selectively destroyed. Calcination of the hybrid vesicles resulted in a hollow vesicle composed of silica. Formation of controlled organic-inorganic layer structures on colloidal particles by LbL assembly also provides media appropriate for investigation of fundamental phenomena. 

Supramolecular structures self-assembled from organic molecules often provide finely tuned structures. Transcription of these structures into mechanically stable inorganic substances should be a productive approach for the preparation of novel functional materials. This concept is sometimes known as structure transcription. Transcription of fibrous and tubular structures of organic gels into inorganic substances have has been extensively reported by 

FIGURE 13. Fabrication of LbL self-assembled ultra-thin microcantilever consisting of clay/polymer nanocomposites. 

Yamashita demonstrated the use of a biomolecular array for structure transcription (Fig. 17). A Langmuir monolayer of ferritin, which is composed of 24 self-assembled peptide subunits and is capable of including iron oxide. 

FIGURE 15. LbL films on a gold colloid in which the fluorescent organic dyes fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITQ and lissamine rhodamine B (LISS) are placed at various distances from the gold core. 

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T1. Taanman, J. W., The mitochondrial genome Structure, transcription, translation and replication. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1410, 103-123 (1999). 

Figure 2.14 Structure transcription from a tubular structure in a gel to silica tubes.89 (Reprinted with permission from J. H. Jung et al., Chem. Mater. 2002, 14, 1445—1447. Copyright 2002 American Chemical Society.)...

Szczesny B, Hazra TK, Papaconstantinou J, Mitra S, Boldogh I (2003) Age-dependent deficiency in import of mitochondrial DNA glycosylases required for repair of oxidatively damaged bases. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 100 10670-10675 Taanman JW (1999) The mitochondrial genome structure, transcription, translation and replication. Biochim Biophys Acta 1410 103-123... 

FIGURE 1. Supramolecular objects consist of inorganic building blocks mainly based on soft supramolecular assemblies, (a) Hybrid lipid thin films, (b) Layer-by-layer assemblies, (c) Structure transcription, (d) Functional mesoporous hybrid. 

In this volume we have collected 10 review chapters from distinguished scientists who have contributed extensively to the study and development of supramolecular assemblies that contain metals and metal-like elements with unusual structures and morphologies and possess potentially useful (and applicable) physical and biological properties. The first chapter by K. Ariga et al. is a general discussion of supramolecular structures that contain inorganic building blocks for hybrid lipid thin films, layer-by-layer assemblies, structure transcription, and functional mesoporous hybrids. This is followed by two chapters, the first by M. L. Kistler et al., who describe the self-assembly of hydrophilic polyoxometalate (POM) macro-anions and examine the structure and behavior of POM macro-ions in solution. This is followed by a chapter by S. K. Das, who provides an overview of the supramolecular features of POM-supported transition metal complexes, POM-crown ether complexes with supramolecular cations, and supramolecular water clusters associated with POMs. 

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