Photoswitchable particles for on-demand degradation and triggered release

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Developing stimuli-responsive materials is crucial for controlled release and degradation applications.
• Dextran-based polymers offer biocompatibility and tunable properties for advanced material design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate on-demand degradable polymer microparticles.
• To investigate UV-light-triggered degradation of acetal-protected dextran.
• To explore the use of photoacid generators for controlled polymer dissolution.

Main Methods:

• Electrospraying of acetal-protected dextran solutions.
• Incorporation of 2-(4-methoxystyryl)-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine as a photoacid generator.
• UV light irradiation to induce photoacid generation and polymer deprotection.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated microparticles with controlled size and morphology.
• Demonstrated UV-light-induced generation of photoacid.
• Achieved catalytic deprotection of hydroxyl groups in dextran.
• Observed controlled dissolution of microparticles in aqueous environments.

Conclusions:

• Acetal-protected dextran microparticles can be fabricated via electrospraying.
• UV light effectively triggers on-demand degradation through photoacid catalysis.
• This method offers a promising approach for developing degradable polymer systems.