The ability to transduce molecular recognition events into bulk changes of macroscopic observable properties continues to be one of materials chemistry’s grand challenges. Successful implementation will require integrated materials platforms capable of performing selective recognition at an interface followed by molecular scale transformations that cascade through the system and give rise to long-range transformations. Our strategy involves the formation of interfacial assemblies of receptor molecules containing responsive functional groups at interfaces between aqueous phases and immiscible liquid crystals (thermotropic LCs). These interfacial assemblies are programmed to undergo strongly cooperative ordering transitions at interfaces in response to a specific cue. We were interested in establishing molecular design rules for amphiphiles that exhibit highly cooperative organizations within monolayers and control the orientations of LCs at aqueous-LC interfaces leading to a highly non-linear response in the LC as a function of the density of amphiphiles at the interface.<br/>Knowledge of the interfacial behavior of the amphiphiles described above, and the changes in orientation of the LC that accompany changes in density and organization of the amphiphiles was used to design LC systems that amplify specific binding interactions between the amphiphiles and target proteins into a macroscopic optical response.

Amplification and optical reporting of interfacial molecular events using liquid crystals

255th National Meeting (2018)

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