Nanocarriers as structures with at least one dimension in the nanometer scale are capable of loading small molecule therapeutics that would otherwise have poor bioavailability, non- specific uptake, and off target effects. Polymeric nanocarriers can be modified to tune their chemical and biological behavior to better suit the intended application....
In this Thesis, I describe some recent developments in the field of artificial molecular machines to which I have made contributions. In Chapter 1, I survey the rise and promise of molecular nanotopology, a relatively new discipline focusing on molecular knots and links that offers unprecedented opportunities to access high-energy...
Two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of crystalline polymer networks that polymerize and crystallize into layered structures, characterized by their atomically precise structure, permanent porosity and high modularity. Imine-linked COFs are one of the most important and promising classes of macromolecular sheets, which form by the condensation...
Two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of crystalline polymer networks that polymerize and crystallize into layered structures, characterized by their atomically precise structure, permanent porosity and high modularity. Imine-linked COFs are one of the most important and promising classes of macromolecular sheets, which form by the condensation...
There is no group of materials as diverse, complex, and ubiquitous as polymers. From plastic bags, to rubber tires, electronics, food packaging, water filtration and even aerospace applications, the penetration of polymer materials into all aspects of life make them very important materials throughout all engineering fields. However, this breadth...
Discrete molecules, linear and branched polymers, and disordered cross-linked networks are well studied objects of chemical synthesis. However, two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) have been long missing from this continuum of molecular architectures, both in chemical synthesis and in Nature. Recently, new polymerization strategies and characterization methods have enabled the unambiguous realization...
Polymers with electrolyte groups or “polyelectrolytes” have been the subject of intense study for the past few decades due to characteristics such as anti-fouling and underwater adhesion. Because of their charged nature, however, polyanions and polycations will complex in aqueous solutions forming dense unprocessable precipitates. In an attempt to leverage...
Cyclodextrin-based polymers (CDPs) are adsorbents based on supramolecular receptor chemistry and have emerged as a promising technology for organic micropollutant remediation. Micropollutants are small organic molecules which contaminate water systems from human related activities. The occurrence of micropollutants in water sources is associated with many negative health, economic, and ecological...
Part I: Design of Photo-Responsive Molecules towards Biomedical ApplicationsThe use of light to control systems provides numerous advantages such as spatiotemporal precision, non-invasive penetration, and precise energy input. Specifically, molecules that undergo photoinduced cleavage, photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs) have emerged as an active area of research due to their broad...
Non-covalent and ion-specific interactions in the context of charged polymers are ubiquitous in nature and in synthetic applications. For example, mussels utilize metal-coordinate bonds to form tough underwater adhesion to a wide range of substrates. The sandcastle worm uses coacervation of oppositely charged polymers to build robust structures for self-defense....