Redox-responsive colloidosomes via supramolecular chemistry

Abstract

In supramolecular chemistry, molecules can be assembled together through non-covalent interactions without management from an outside source in order to form well-organized structures such as micelles, microspheres, interface (membrane) or colloidal microcapsules. This thesis focused on formation and stabilization of self-assembled microcapsules by using host-guest interaction, encapsulation biomolecules into these microcapsules and controlled released of them after the microcapsules exposed to reducing agent. In this study, β-cyclodextrin functionalized gold nanoparticles were used as host molecules and bis-adamantane containing linker molecules and adamantine functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles were used as guest molecules. Due to strong interaction between adamantine and β-cyclodextrin molecules, stable microcapsules were obtained as a result of cross-linking host and guest molecules at water-organic interfaces of emulsions. Then the disassembly of microcapsules was analyzed after exposure to reducing agent. Resulting microcapsules were characterized using a variety of techniques such as optical microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).