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Updated: Oct 6, 2025

High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal
Published on: October 31, 2019
Thiol-responsive lyotropic liquid crystals exhibit triggered phase re-arrangement and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) release
Matthew C Urquhart1, Francesca Ercole1, Andrew J Clulow2
1Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
Abstract:
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important signalling molecule with potential pharmaceutical applications. In pursuit of a suitable delivery system for H2S, herein we apply an amphiphilic trisulfide to concomitantly alter the mesophase behaviour of dispersed lipid particles and enable triggered H2S release. Amperometric release studies indicate the trisulfide acts as a sustained H2S donor, with inclusion into the mesophase attenuating release vs neat dispersed trisulfide. Taken together the results highlight the potential for including trisulfide-based additives in stimuli-responsive drug delivery vehicles.
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