Themed collection Honorary collection in memory of Professor Dr Helmut Ringsdorf

Polymer nanotherapeutics have gained prominent attention in drug delivery systems.

Theranostic use of smart gels for precise treatment and drug delivery.

The self-assembly process of tetraphenoxy-substituted perylene bisimide dyes into J-aggregates via hydrogen bonds is investigated in three different polymer matrices resulting in solid-state materials with fluorescence quantum yields up to 28%.

AAO nanoconfinement precisely controls the polymorphism and orientation of azobenzene-based liquid crystalline block co-oligomers (Azo-LCBCOs), inducing diverse smectic phases and enhancing parallel smectic layer alignment in nanostructures.

Divergent self-assembly of star-shaped molecules differing only in the length of the flexible spacer: stimuli-responsive liquid crystals and gels.

Resveratrol functionalized palladium nanoparticles (Res-PdNPs) inhibit NF-κB, reprogram tumor-associated macrophages from the M2 to the M1 phenotype, and enhance in vivo anti-tumor activity.

We present a new family of halogen-bonded pyridinium salts where both ionic partners participate in halogen bonding, leading to self-assembled smectic phases with nanosegregated ionic channels and high ionic conductivity.

Development PVA e-spun nanofibers with boronic ester crosslinks through the synthesis of a new phenyldiboronic acid crosslinker with an ethylene spacer, degradable in response to multiple stimuli found in wounds for smart wound dressings.

Novel electron deficient and fluorescent mesogens with intermediate shape between calamitic and discotic liquid crystals are reported.

Green-synthesized RESV–¹⁹⁸AuNP enable sustainable immunomodulation, selective prostate tumor cellular targeting, and favorable in vivo biodistribution. β (0.96 MeV) emission reprograms M2 to M1 macrophages and induces potent tumor volume reduction.

A perfectly ambipolar balanced charge carrier mobility has been found for a cyano-substituted BTBT mesogen.

The spontaneous long-range mutual orientation of their electric dipole moments that gives rise to polar liquid crystals is shown to result from subtle intermolecular interactions.

We demonstrate that the liquid crystal behavior of subphthalocyanine bowl-shaped aromatics is governed by their chirality and the number and nature of peripheral substituents.

An environment benign pre-alignment layer based on cellulose nano crystals have been developed for ferroelectric liquid crystal displays.

Programmable chiroptical films with ultrahigh ellipticity and dissymmetry factors were achieved via stretchable elastomer–plasmonic composites for optical encryption.

A chromogenic hydrogel sensor containing Au-Bead@Ag nanorods incorporated inside agarose gel for visual detection of ammonia released from spoiled food.

Helicity and polar order in bent-core liquid crystals. Fundamental insights into the synergistic roles of electrostatic energy, transient molecular helicity, and phase structure in controlling heliconical twist of achiral bent-core molecules.

In this work, the effect of phase templating on the mechanical properties of smectic liquid crystal elastomers is examined. Samples polymerised in the nematic phase show markedly different properties to those polymerised in the smectic phase.

Two variants of pMeOx-b-pPheOzi-b-pMeOx with methyl or methoxy substituents were synthesized and used to test different NMR techniques for their characterization. Sample freezing provided new insights into the structure and different types of water.

A new class of phenoxazine-based luminescent liquid crystal molecules exhibiting room temperature liquid crystallinity, ambipolar charge carrier mobility which also can be used for bioimaging were synthesized.

This research presents the synthesis and analysis of a novel series of mesogenic dimers comprising cyanobiphenyl and azonaphthyl units.

Minimal structural modifications in non-chiral liquid crystals impact ferroelectricity, revealing key structure–property relationships. The findings highlight the potential for developing ferroelectric mixtures with broad application relevance.

An uncommon approach to the synthesis of ambipolar semiconductors based on di- and tri-nuclear gold isocyano–triphenylene complexes of the formula [(AuX)_n(CN–C₆H₄–O–(CH₂)₆)_n–TriPh] (n = 2, 3; X = Cl, CC–Ph) is described.

We present a novel glycosylated polyplex micelle system derived from charged glycosylated block copolymers. This approach offers a promising pathway toward the design of more intricate glycosylated nanoparticles.

Based on perovskite and CLCN films, colour tuning, large |g_lum| values, and handedness inversion of circularly polarized luminescence were achieved.

Cellulose-based cotton fabric impregnated with a bioactive material and turmeric acts as a flexible, biocompatible, eco-friendly, and cost-effective material for bone regeneration applications.

A pH-responsive polyelectrolyte complex of trimethylchitosan and carboxymethylkaraya gum containing silver nanoparticles has been developed as a matrix material for co-delivery of the drugs, 5-fluorouracil and curcumin.

Porous carbon materials have been prepared through a salt template method. The as-fabricated supercapacitors show an excellent cycling stability. These supercapacitors hold great potential for application in the field of energy storage.

This study quantifies the photomechanical actuation in LC242 nanocomposites doped with azo dye and graphene oxide. Optimized doping and UV curing achieve a 35° photo-induced bend with rapid response, advancing applications in smart materials.

LAdN-CQDs have been used to inhibit fibril formation, display biocompatibility, reduce reactive oxygen species, and safeguard against apoptosis, indicating promise in neuroprotection.

Combining side-chain fluorination with core-fluorination provides access to new liquid crystalline honeycombs due to nano-segregation and competing tilt modes, either within or out of the crystallographic plane.