Self-assembly processes play a key role in the fabrication of functional nano-structures with widespread application in drug delivery and micro-reactors. In addition to the thermodynamics, the kinetics of the self-assembled nano-structures also play an important role in determining the formed structures. However, as the self-assembly process is often highly heterogeneous, systematic elucidation of the dominant kinetic pathways of self-assembly is challenging. Here, based on mass flow, we developed a new method for the construction of kinetic network models and applied it to identify the dominant kinetic pathways for the self-assembly of star-like block copolymers. We found that the dominant pathways are controlled by two competing kinetic parameters: the encounter time Te, characterizing the frequency of collision and the transition time Tt for the aggregate morphology change from rod to sphere. Interestingly, two distinct self-assembly mechanisms, diffusion of an individual copolymer into the aggregate core and membrane closure, both appear at different stages (with different values of Tt) of a single self-assembly process. In particular, the diffusion mechanism dominates the middle-sized semi-vesicle formation stage (with large Tt), while the membrane closure mechanism dominates the large-sized vesicle formation stage (with small Tt). Through the rational design of the hydrophibicity of the copolymer, we successfully tuned the transition time Tt and altered the dominant self-assembly pathways.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c6cp01808d | DOI Listing |
Biosens Bioelectron
December 2024
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Drug Research for Emerging Virus Prevention and Treatment, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China. Electronic address:
MicroRNA (miRNA) imaging in living cells is paramount for comprehending its dynamic functions and profiles, offering valuable insights into miRNA-related cellular processes. However, this remains challenging due to limited transfection agents and the low abundance of miRNAs. Herein, a smart nanosystem was proposed for miRNA imaging in living cells by ingeniously integrating cyclometalated ruthenium (II) nanoparticles (RuNPs) with a catalyzed hairpin assembly (CHA) strategy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Am Chem Soc
January 2025
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brine Chemical Engineering and Resource Eco-utilization, College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, P. R. China.
Polymer nanoparticles with low curvature, especially two-dimensional (2D) soft materials, are rich in functions and outstanding properties and have received extensive attention. Crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) of linear semicrystalline block copolymers is currently a common method of constructing 2D platelets of uniform size. Although accompanied by high controllability, this CDSA method usually and inevitably requires a longer aging time and lower assembly concentration, limiting the large-scale preparation of nanoaggregates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Shanghai East Hospital, The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China.
Despite significant progress in skin wound healing, it is still a challenge to construct multifunctional bioactive dressings based on a highly aligned protein fiber coated hydrogel matrix for antifibrosis skin wound regeneration that is indistinguishable to native skin. In this study, a "dual-wheel-driven" strategy is adopted to modify the surface of methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel with highly aligned magnetic nanocomposites-protein fiber assemblies (MPF) consisting of photothermal responsive antibacteria superparamagnetic nanocomposites-fibrinogen (Fg) complexes as the building blocks. Whole-phase healing properties of the modified hydrogel dressing, GelMA-MPF (GMPF), stem from the integration of Fg protein with RGD peptide activity decorated on the surface of the antibacterial magnetic nanoactuator, facilitating facile and reproducible dressing preparation by self-assembly and involving biochemical, morphological, and biophysical cues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Healthc Mater
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250100, China.
Coacervates have garnered significant attention as potential drug carriers. However, the instability resulting from their intrinsic membrane-free nature restricts the application of coacervates in drug delivery. Herein, the engineering of poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PEG NPs) is reported using coacervates composed of PEG and polyphenols as the templates, where PEG is subsequently cross-linked based on different chemistries (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
Hubei Biomass-Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology Key Laboratory, Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Emerging Functional Coating Materials, School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
Achieving a synergy of biocompatibility and extreme environmental adaptability with excellent mechanical property remains challenging in the development of synthetic materials. Herein, a "bottom-up" solution-interface-induced self-assembly strategy is adopted to develop a compressible, anti-fatigue, extreme environment adaptable, biocompatible, and recyclable organohydrogel composed of chitosan-lignosulfonate-gelatin by constructing noncovalent bonded conjoined network. The ethylene glycol/water solvent induced lignosulfonate nanoparticles function as bridge in chitosan/gelation network, forming multiple interfacial interactions that can effectively dissipate energy.
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