Although dynamic self-assembly, DySA, is a relatively new area of research, the past decade has brought numerous demonstrations of how various types of components – on scales from (macro)molecular to macroscopic – can be arranged into ordered structures thriving in non-equilibrium, steady states. At the same time, none of these dynamic assemblies has so far proven practically relevant, prompting questions about the field's prospects and ultimate objectives. The main thesis of this Review is that formation of dynamic assemblies cannot be an end in itself – instead, we should think more ambitiously of using such assemblies as control elements (reconfigurable catalysts, nanomachines, etc.) of larger, networked systems directing sequences of chemical reactions or assembly tasks. Such networked systems would be inspired by biology but intended to operate in environments and conditions incompatible with living matter (e.g., in organic solvents, elevated temperatures, etc.). To realize this vision, we need to start considering not only the interactions mediating dynamic self-assembly of individual components, but also how components of different types could coexist and communicate within larger, multicomponent ensembles. Along these lines, the review starts with the discussion of the conceptual foundations of self-assembly in equilibrium and non-equilibrium regimes. It discusses key examples of interactions and phenomena that can provide the basis for various DySA modalities (e.g., those driven by light, magnetic fields, flows, etc.). It then focuses on the recent examples where organization of components in steady states is coupled to other processes taking place in the system (catalysis, formation of dynamic supramolecular materials, control of chirality, etc.). With these examples of functional DySA, we then look forward and consider conditions that must be fulfilled to allow components of multiple types to coexist, function, and communicate with one another within the networked DySA systems of the future. As the closing examples show, such systems are already appearing heralding new opportunities – and, to be sure, new challenges – for DySA research.

The process of noble metal nanoparticle synthesis is complex and consists of at least two steps: slow nucleation and fast autocatalytic growth. The kinetics of these two processes depends on the reductant “power” and the addition of stabilizers, as well as other factors (e.g., temperature, pH, ionic strength). Knowing these parameters, it is possible to synthesize materials with appropriate physicochemical properties, which can be simply adjusted by the type of the used metal, particle morphology and surface property. This, in turn, affects the possibility of their applications in various areas of life, including medicine, catalysis, engineering, fuel cells, etc. However, in some cases, the standard route, i.e., the chemical reduction of a metal precursor carried out in the batch reactor, is not sufficient due to problems with temperature control, properties of reagents, unstable or dangerous intermediates and products, etc. Therefore, in this review, we focused on an alternative approach to their chemical synthesis provided by microreactor systems. The use of microreactors for the synthesis of noble metal nanomaterials (e.g., Ag, Au, Pt, Pd), obtained by chemical reduction, is analyzed, taking into account investigations carried out in recent years. A particular emphasis is placed on the processes in which the use of microreactors removed the limitations associated with synthesis in a batch reactor. Moreover, the opportunities and challenges related to the synthesis of noble nanomaterials in the microreactor system are underlined. This review discusses the advantages as well as the problems of nanoparticle synthesis in microreactors.

In this paper, micro droplets are generated in a microfluidic focusing contactor and then they move sequentially in a free-flowing mode (no wall contact). For this purpose, two different micro-flow glass devices (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) were used. During the study, the influence of the flow rate of the water phase and the oil phase on the droplet size and size distribution was investigated. Moreover, the influence of the oil phase viscosity on the droplet size was analyzed. It was found that the size and size distribution of the droplets can be controlled simply by the aqueous phase flow rate. Additionally, 2D simulations to determine the droplet size were performed and compared with the experiment.

This paper describes a single-stage synthesis process for activated carbon using cherry seeds. The influences of the carbonization temperature and the time were investigated. Using the BET method, the surface area of the obtained activated carbons was determined, as well as the pore distribution, while SEM images provided further insight into the structure of the surface. Next, the adsorption isotherm was derived. For the test, Pd(II) chloride complex ions were used. It was found that the obtained activated carbon were suitable for palladium(II) recovery from diluted aqueous solutions. Out of the tested parameters of carbon synthesis, the most optimal one was found to be 500 °C for 3 h. Additionally, it was confirmed that the increase in the adsorption temperature affects the increase in palladium load from 1.6 mg/g at 20 °C to 15.6 mg/g at 50 °C (for the best-performing sample). This fact may suggest that the process of adsorption is associated with chemical reactions.

In this work, sodium borohydride was used as a strong reductant of traces of platinum complex ions. The investigations of the kinetics of redox reaction between platinum(IV) chloride complex ions and sodium borohydride were carried out. For the first time, the kinetic experiments were carried out in a basic medium (pH~13), which prevents NaBH₄ from decomposition and suppresses the release of hydrogen to the environment. The rate constants of Pt(IV) reduction to Pt(II) ions under different temperatures and concentrations of chloride ions conditions were determined. In alkaline solution (pH~13), the values of enthalpy and entropy of activation are 29.6 kJ/mol and –131 J/mol K. It was also found that oxygen dissolved in the solution strongly affects kinetics of the reduction process. Using collected results, the reduction mechanism was suggested. For the first time, the appearance of diborane as an intermediate product during Pt(IV) ions reduction was suggested. Moreover, the influence of oxygen present in the reacting solution on the rate of reduction reaction was also shown.

In this work, the kinetics of the redox reaction between platinum(IV) chloride complex ions and ascorbic acid is studied. The reduction process of Pt(IV) to Pt(II) ions was carried out at different reagent concentrations and environmental conditions, i.e., pH (2.2–5.1), temperature (20–40 °C), ionic strength (I = 0.00–0.40 M) and concentrations of chloride ions (0.00–0.40 M). The kinetic traces during the reduction process were registered using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Based on the kinetic traces, the rate constants were determined, and the kinetic equations were proposed. It was shown that in the mild acidic medium (pH = 2.5), the reduction process of Pt(IV) to Pt(II) ions is more complex in the presence of oxygen dissolved in the aqueous solutions. For these processes, the values of the enthalpy and entropy of activation were determined. Moreover, the mechanism of the reduction of Pt(IV) to Pt(II) ions was proposed. The presented results give an overview of the process of the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles in the solution containing oxygen, in which the reduction process of Pt(IV) to Pt(II) ions is the first step.