Self-assembly is emerging as a superior method to prepare adaptive and responsive nanomaterials. The structure and function of these materials is entirely determined by the dynamic and weak interactions of the constituent molecular “building blocks” of the material. Since the inherent interactions are weak, these versatile materials readily respond to even small changes and stimuli in their environment. Moreover, these materials are biomimetic and contain large amounts of water, so that application in biomedical technology can be foreseen.<br/>This lecture will highlight self-assembled nanocontainers based on cyclodextrins that respond to various external stimuli. Amphiphilic cyclodextrins form bilayer vesicles in aqueous solution and the surface of these vesicles can be functionalized using host-guest chemistry. An artificial glycocalix that selectively binds lectins is obtained if the cyclodextrin vesicles are functionalized with adamantane-tagged carbohydrates. Photoresponsive capture and release of lectins is possible if azobenzene-tagged carbohydrates are used. Shear-thinning hydrogels result if the cyclodextrin vesicles are mixed with adamantane-functionalized polymers, which act as supramolecular cross-linkers. Polymer-shelled vesicles and polymer nanocontainers are obtained if the cyclodextrin vesicles are decorated with adamantane-terminated poly(acrylic acid), which can be cross-linked with diamines. Recently, we have also shown that this polymer shell is redox-responsive if the cross-linker contains a disulfide unit. The resulting nanocontainer can deliver cargo into cells.<br/>

Self-assembly of responsive nanocontainers based on cyclodextrins

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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