Schiff base nanoarchitectonics for supramolecular assembly of dipeptide as drug carriers

Development of peptide-based supramolecular materials with hierarchical morphology and tunable guest loading displays broad potential as drug carrier in view of biocompatibility and biodegradability. Herein, we report a facile Schiff base nanoarchitectonic for supramolecular assembly of diphenylalanine (FF) metastable gel. The addition of trace glutaraldehyde (GA)/H₂O solution induces the Schiff base reaction between GA and FF accompanying by phase transition from gel to solution. FF nanoparticles and hierarchical beaded nanofibers with autofluorescence properties can be constructed by regulating the competitive assembly between FF-H₂O and FF-GA oligomer. Moreover, various guest molecules with different hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties can be easily loaded into such assembled particles and its release can be triggered under weak alkaline conditions, which show the potential application of the assembled FF system as drug carriers.