Supramolecular Materials最新文献

Supramolecular hydrogels based on host–guest interactions constitute a class of intriguing soft matter and have attracted great attention due to their unique properties, etc. In this study, we successfully synthesized 4-methylene-7-diethylaminocoumarin methacrylate (DEACMMA) monomer and carried out reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using methylated β-cyclodextrin via a host-guest encapsulation mechanism. This process led to the formation of ternary copolymer hydrogel supramolecular photoresponsive hydrogels through polymerization induced supramolecular gelation (PISG). The encapsulation of coumarin monomers by methylated cyclodextrins was confirmed using 2D ROESY NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. We have carefully analyzed the microstructure of these supramolecular hydrogels by rheological profiles and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Stimulated by UV light, the copolymers transition from non-luminescence to a bright fluorescent blue color, which is reminiscent of the self-transforming colors observed in jellyfish. The development of photostimuli-responsive hydrogels based on methylated β-cyclodextrin-coated coumarin esters opens new avenues in the fields of smart materials and clinical medicine.

Multidrug resistance significantly impedes the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. Resistance often arises from the reduced cellular uptake of chemotherapeutic drugs, a process crucial for their cytotoxic effects. This reduction is frequently due to transmembrane efflux pumps powered by ATP from mitochondria and the cytoplasmic matrix, leading to lower intracellular concentrations of these drugs. This study introduces an amphiphilic molecule, bis(zinc-dipicolylamine) farnesol (Bis-ZnDPA), which targets phosphatidylserine (PS) – a negatively charged phospholipid prominently displayed on the outer leaflet of cancer cell plasma membranes. Integrating the hydrophobic segment of Bis-ZnDPA into the plasma membrane disrupts its integrity, potentially leading to hole formation and facilitating the uptake of chemotherapeutic drugs. Furthermore, the binding of Bis-ZnDPA to phosphatidylserine inhibits ATP production caused by Ca²⁺ influx and deregulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway, reducing the efflux of drugs from cells. The results indicate the potent synergistic effect of Bis-ZnDPA with chemotherapeutic agents, suggesting that targeting PS is a viable strategy for overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy.

Stretchable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are highly desirable to serve as the power sources of stretchable and wearable electronic devices. Furthermore, endowing stretchable LIBs with self-healability can prolong their life-time and enhance their reliability. However, previously reported self-healable LIBs were flexible rather than stretchable, while the stretchable LIBs were unable to self-heal. Herein, we present a novel strategy to fabricate stretchable and self-healable LIBs with all-in-one configuration, by exploiting dynamic covalent polymers as both the electrolyte and the binder of electrodes. The developed polymer electrolyte exhibits a room-temperature ionic conductivity as high as 3.6 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ and possesses an elongation-at-break of 250 ± 30 %. Moreover, the stretchable electrolyte is highly resilient and its ionic conductivity shows minimal changes at different strains. The electrolyte exhibits an autonomous self-healing property at room temperature, making the cut sample easily recover its original performance. Importantly, the electrolyte and electrodes can be fused together at the interface to construct a healable LIB with all-in-one configuration, through the exchange of the dynamic imine bonds that exist in both the electrolyte and electrodes. As a result, the as-developed LIB possesses an elongation-at-break of 220 ± 20 % and can supply power in the course of stretching and releasing. Furthermore, the cut and then healed LIB can still deliver an average discharge capacity of 126.4 mAh g ^{− 1} and steadily provide power for LED. This work offers a new avenue for the development of stretchable and self-healable LIBs for the stretchable and wearable electronic devices.

Dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) have received significant interest due to their unique reversibility and stimuli-responsiveness. The introduction of DCBs provides materials with self-healing and controllable load and release properties, which result in the emergence of widespread applications in biomedical disciplines. In this minireview, we first introduce the chemistry nature and reaction characteristics of different types of DCBs followed by discussing the design strategies of DCB materials. Finally, we summarize the latest progress about the biomedical applications, including drug delivery, enzyme regulation, molecule recognition and detection, wound healing, biosensing and cell culture, and propose some challenges in the future development of DCB biomaterials.