Multi-compartment supracapsules made from nano-containers towards programmable release
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2022-06-01
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
The assembly of nanomaterials into suprastructures offers the possibility to fabricate larger scale functional materials, whose inner structure strongly influences their functionality for a vast range of applications. In spite of the many current strategies, achieving multi-compartment structures in a targeted and versatile way remains highly challenging. Here, we describe a controllable and straightforward route to create uniform suprastructured materials with a multi-compartmentalized architecture by confining primary nanocapsules into droplets using a cross-junction microfluidic device. Following solvent evaporation from the droplets, the nanocapsules spontaneously assemble into precisely sized multi-compartment particles, which we term supracapsules. Thanks to the process, each spatially separated nanocapsule unit retains its cargo and functionalities within the resulting supracapsules. However, new collective properties emerge, and, particularly, programmable release profiles that are distinct from those of single-compartment capsules. Finally, the suprastructures can be disassembled into single-compartment units by applying ultra-sonication, switching their release to a burst-release mode. These findings open up exciting opportunities to fabricate multi-compartment suprastructures incorporating diverse functionalities for materials with emerging properties.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
9 (6)
Pages / Article No.
1641 - 1648
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Organisational unit
03914 - deMello, Andrew / deMello, Andrew
09455 - Isa, Lucio / Isa, Lucio