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Dual-responsive supramolecular colloidal microcapsules from cucurbit[8]uril molecular recognition in microfluidic droplets

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Parker, RM 
Zhang, W 
Deng, X 

Abstract

The macrocyclic host, cucurbit[8]uril, is used to facilitate cross-linking of colloidal particles and polymers in microdroplets resulting in thermo- and photo-responsive supramolecular colloidal microcapsules. Methyl viologen-bearing colloidal particles were prepared using template polymerisation and combined with cucurbit[8]uril and an azobenzene-functionalised polymer within microfluidic droplets. The colloidal particles self-assembled at the droplet interface, whereupon polymeric cross-links formed via ternary host-guest complexation with cucurbit[8]uril. The resultant supramolecular colloidal microcapsules were uniform in size and were able to retain a macromolecular cargo. It is shown that the capsule skin porosity, and consequently the rate of release of encapsulated cargo, can be remotely controlled via either temperature or light triggers. This simple and versatile method could be extended to other polymer or colloidal derivatives for the fabrication of nano- and microcapsules with dual stimuli response for controlled release.

Description

Keywords

3403 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry, 40 Engineering, 3405 Organic Chemistry, 34 Chemical Sciences

Journal Title

Polymer Chemistry

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1759-9954
1759-9962

Volume Title

7

Publisher

Royal Society of Chemistry
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K503496/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/H046593/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K039520/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grant IDs: EP/K503496/1, EP/H046593/1), CSC Cambridge Scholarship
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