Dynamic and programmable morphology and size evolution via a living hierarchical self-assembly strategy

Abstract

Recent advances in the preparation of shape-shifting and size-growing nanostructures are hot topics in development of nanoscience, because many intelligent functions are always relied on their shape and dimension. Here we report a tunable manipulation of sequential self-assembled transformation in situ via a hierarchical assembly strategy based on a living thiol–disulfide exchange reaction. By tailoring the external stimuli, the reactive points can be generated at the ends of initially unimolecular micelles, which subsequently drive the pre-assemblies to periodically proceed into the hierarchically micellar connection, axial growth, bending, and cyclization processes from nanoscopic assemblies to macroscopic particles. Of particular interest would be systems that acquired the shape control and size adjustment of self-assemblies after termination or reactivation of disulfide reshuffling reaction by regulating external stimuli whenever needed. Such a hierarchical strategy for self-assembled evolution is universally applicable not only for other disulfide-linked dendritic polymers but also for exploitation of biological applications.

Progressive 3D Printing Technology and Its Application in Medical Materials

“…In the process, a vat of photosensitive polymer resin is selectively exposed to a specifically controlled beam of leaser or light (Credi et al, 2016;Credi et al, 2018). The polymer is polymerized after spatially localized irradiation to fabricate the specific constructions (Credi et al, 2016;Wang et al, 2018a). Common process includes digital light processing (DLP), stereolithography (SLA), and multiphoton polymerization (MPP) ( Figure 3) (Carve and Wlodkowic, 2018).…”

Recent Advances on Synthetic and Polysaccharide Adhesives for Biological Hemostatic Applications

“…Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is hydrophilic and biocompatible polymer with a stealth-like behavior in vivo , and can be employed as another important class of tissue adhesives ( Knop et al, 2010 ; Wang et al, 2015 , 2018 ; Cao et al, 2018 ; Bian et al, 2020 ; Li et al, 2020 ; Tang et al, 2020 ; Yu et al, 2020 ). There are three main kinds of PEG-based tissue adhesives, including the photopolymerizable adhesives (FocalSeal ® , successor of AdvaSeal), PEG-trilysine adhesives (DuraSealTM) and functionalized PEG with two component adhesives (CoSeal ® , SprayGel).…”

Self-Assembly and Applications of Amphiphilic Hybrid POSS Copolymers

“…A special pH- and reduction-sensitive micelle was reported by Wang and coworkers [ 93 ]. By activation and/or termination exchange reaction of the POSS–(SSPEG) 8 copolymer via the thiol–disulfide bonds, they could modulate the constructive linkage of POSS-embedded segments into micelles and return back through PEG segments ( Figure 2 ).…”

“…Then, the self-assembled evolution is performed from unimolecular micelles to form the elliptic nanoparticles. Reprinted with permission from [ 93 ]. Copyright (2018) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.…”