Polymer/nucleotide droplets as bio-inspired functional micro-compartments

• DOI: 10.1039/c2sm25184a
• Publication Date: 2012-04-18T08:31:46Z
• Authors: David S. Williams; Shogo Koga; C. Rohaida C. Hak; Animesh Majrekar; Avinash J. Patil; Adam W. Perriman; Stephen Mann
• Keywords: Coacervate

Using a range of physical methods, we describe the formation, structure, stability, properties and uptake behavior condensed liquid micro-droplets prepared by electrostatically induced complexation poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in water. Depending on PDDA monomer: ATP molar ratio, positively charged or charge-neutral droplets are produced spontaneously simple mixing. The former typically 60–600 nm mean size stable with respect to sedimentation up temperatures 85 °C, whilst latter grow into several tens micrometres diameter that coalesce macroscopic coacervate phase. Coacervation is inhibited at pH values less than 3 high ionic strength, confirming importance charge interactions droplet formation stability. interior structurally homogeneous no surrounding membrane, comprises dynamically fluctuating domains partially desolvated polymer/nucleotide complexes, has dielectric constant considerably lower As consequence, dye molecules, porphyrin macrocycles, inorganic nanoparticles globular proteins can be sequestered from external water phase produce PDDA/ATP comprising supramolecular J-aggregate nanostructures, magnetically responsive deformable fluids, soft compartments potential storage release properties.