Light-operated mechanized nanoparticles

• Main Authors: Stoddart, J. Fraser, Khashab, Niveen M., Khatib, Hussam A., Zink, Jeffrey I., Ferris, Daniel P., Zhao, Yanli
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Biological sciences::Biochemistry
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/93799; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/7043
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Mesoporous silica (MCM-41) nanoparticles modified by azobenzene derivatives, capable of storing small molecules and releasing them following light irradiation, have been fabricated and characterized. In the presence of the β-cyclodextrin and/or pyrene-modified β-cyclodextrin rings, the β-cyclodextrin and/or pyrene-modified β-cyclodextrin rings will thread onto the azobenzene-containing stalks and bind to trans-azobenzene units to form the pseudorotaxanes, thus sealing the nanopores and stopping release of the cargo. Upon irradiation, the isomerization of trans-to-cis azobenzene units leads to the dissociation of the β-cyclodextrin and/or pyrene-modified β-cyclodextrin rings from the stalks, thus opening the gates to the nanopores and releasing the cargo.