Adaptive insertion of a hydrophobic anchor into a poly(ethylene glycol) host for programmable surface functionalization

• DOI: 10.1038/s41557-022-01090-0
• Publication Date: 2022-11-21T17:48:46Z
• Authors: Shaohua Zhang; Wei Li; Jiabin Luan; Abhinav Srivastava; Vincenzo Carnevale; Michael L. Klein; Jiawei Sun; Danni Wang; Serena P. Teora; Sjoerd J. Rijpkema; Johannes D. Meeldijk; Daniela A. Wilson
• Keywords: Surface Modification; Hydrophobic effect

Abstract Covalent and non-covalent molecular binding are two strategies to tailor surface properties functions. However, the lack of responsiveness requirement for specific groups makes spatiotemporal control challenging. Here, we report adaptive insertion a hydrophobic anchor into poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) host as strategy functionalization. By using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons anchor, hydrophilic charged non-charged functional modules were spontaneously loaded onto PEG corona in 2 min without assistance any catalysts groups. The thermodynamically favourable can be reversed by pulling module, enabling programmable We anticipate that recognition between will challenge understanding enhance progress nanomedicine, advanced materials nanotechnology.