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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
10:01
Directed Assembly of Elastin-like Proteins into defined Supramolecular Structures and Cargo Encapsulation In Vitro
Published on: April 8, 2020
Supramolecular Microcapsules via Microfluidic Interfacial Host-Guest Assembly: A Novel Strategy for Actives
Yuting Wu1,2, Ningyuan Bai2, Yuxin Chen2
1Sinopec Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Industry, Beijing, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed smart microcapsules using supramolecular chemistry and microfluidics. These stable, responsive systems offer controlled release for active ingredients in various applications.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Intelligent encapsulation systems are crucial for stable and responsive release of active ingredients.
- Current methods face challenges in achieving both stability and controlled release for personal care and pharmaceutical uses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel supramolecular strategy for creating intelligent microcapsules.
- To integrate host-guest chemistry with droplet microfluidics for advanced encapsulation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of phenylalanine-functionalized chitosan (CS-Phe) as a guest polymer.
- Utilizing droplet microfluidics for microcapsule formation.
- Employing cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) for dynamic crosslinking at the water-oil interface.
Main Results:
- Successfully formed monodisperse microcapsules with tunable sizes and shapes.
- Achieved high encapsulation stability.
- Demonstrated dual-responsive release triggered by pH variations and competitive guests.
Conclusions:
- The developed supramolecular microcapsules provide a versatile platform for intelligent encapsulation.
- The system enables on-demand release of active ingredients.
- This approach addresses key challenges in stimuli-responsive delivery systems.
Keywords:
cucurbit[8]urildroplet microfluidicsinterfacial self‐assemblysensitive activessupramolecular microcapsulesMore Related Videos
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