Reversible morphological transformation between polymer nanocapsules and thin films through dynamic covalent self-assembly

Abstract

A facile method has been developed for synthesizing polymer nanocapsules and thin films using multiple in-plane stitching of monomers by the formation of reversible disulfide linkages. Owing to the reversibility of the disulfide linkages, the nanostructured materials readily transform their structures in response to environmental changes at room temperature. For example, in reducing environments, the polymer nanocapsules release loaded cargo molecules. Moreover, reversible morphological transformations between these structures can be achieved by simple solvent exchanges. This work is a novel approach for the formation of robust nano/microstructured materials that dynamically respond to environmental stimuli.

Keywords: 2D polymer films; disulfide bonds; nanocapsules; nanostructures; self-assembly.