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Light-Gated Nano-Porous Capsules from Stereoisomer-Directed Self-Assemblies.
Hui Chen1,2, Yujiao Fan2, Xia Yu1
1Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 North Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District, 100029 Beijing, P.R. China.
ACS Nano
|December 28, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed novel nanoporous vesicles using amphiphilic polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. These light-responsive materials can form stable membranes and control nanopore opening for potential biotech applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Controlling nanopore formation in stable membranes is crucial for material exchange and transport applications.
- Amphiphilic polymers offer versatile platforms for creating self-assembled nanostructures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel amphiphilic polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties for creating nanoporous vesicles.
- To investigate the self-assembly behavior of different stereoisomers and their mixtures in aqueous solutions.
- To explore the light-induced structural changes and nanopore formation in these assemblies.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of amphiphilic polymers PEG550-TPE-Chol, including trans and cis stereoisomers.
- Characterization of self-assembly behavior in water using techniques like dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy.
- Investigation of photoisomerization-induced structural transitions under UV irradiation.
- Evaluation of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties.
Main Results:
- Trans-PEG550-TPE-Chol formed classical vesicles, while cis-PEG550-TPE-Chol self-assembled into cylindrical micelles.
- Trans/cis mixtures of PEG550-TPE-Chol formed perforated vesicles with nanopores.
- UV light induced photoisomerization, leading to vesicle perforation and micelle interweaving into nanoporous membranes.
- All assemblies exhibited bright cyan fluorescence under UV light due to AIE, with no fluorescence in organic solvents.
Conclusions:
- Stereoisomers of PEG550-TPE-Chol exhibit distinct self-assembly behaviors, forming vesicles and micelles.
- Mixtures and photoisomerization of these polymers enable the formation of light-responsive nanoporous structures.
- These AIE-active nanoporous vesicles hold promise for applications in biotechnology, such as light-gated delivery systems and nanochannel-based material exchange.
