CO2-breathing and piercing polymersomes as tunable and reversible nanocarriers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Fabricating tunable molecular pathways on polymeric vesicle walls for nanocapsules is challenging.
• Conventional methods involve solvent polarity regulation or photo-cross-linking, which can be complex or generate byproducts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, green approach for creating tunable molecular pathways on polymersomes.
• To utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) gas as a "molecular drill" for creating macroporous structures.

Main Methods:

• Introducing CO2/N2 gases into aqueous solutions of self-assembled polymers.
• Observing and analyzing "gas breathing" and "gas piercing" phenomena in polymersomes.
• Controlling CO2 stimulation levels to adjust pathway dimensions and release kinetics.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a byproduct-free method for creating macroporous structures on polymersomes using CO2 gas.
• Identified two distinct processes: "gas breathing" and "gas piercing" of polymersomes.
• Showcased adjustable pathway dimensions and release times by modulating CO2 levels.

Conclusions:

• CO2-induced "gas piercing" offers a versatile method for tuning nanocapsules for controlled molecular encapsulation and release.
• This technique provides a unique platform for mimicking biological structures like the nucleus pore complex and physiological processes.
• The developed polymersomes show promise for applications in drug delivery and bio-imaging within living systems.