| Popis: |
The size and shape of polymeric vesicles have great impact on their physicochemical and biological properties. Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is an efficient method to fabricate vesicles. In most PISA-cases, the formation of vesicles is driven by the solvophobic interactions which are lack of versatility on finely structural regulation. Herein, controlling vesicular size and shape is realized in PISA aided by aromatic interactions. Aromatic interactions between the membrane-forming blocks contribute to the augments of membrane tension which lead to the formation of smaller vesicles (as small as 70 nm), but overly enhanced aromatic interactions result in vesicle fusion rather than size decreasing. When the membrane tension is dominated by aromatic interactions and meanwhile high enough to overcome the energetic barriers of fusion, the aromatic interactions drive vesicle fusion in a directional manner to form tubular structures. The precise regulation of vesicular size and shape in PISA would pave the way to fabricate vesicles for a series of size/shape-dependent applications. |
