The controllable intermittent and stepwise release modes were achieved in a dissipative system of supra-amphiphile. The supra-amphiphile was constructed based on complexation of cationic amphiphile (Zn@DPA-14) and biological energy currency, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The formation of supra-amphiphile and the competing hydrolysis of ATP by enzyme drove the micelles assembled by Zn@DPA-14 away from the thermodynamic equilibrium state, leading to the cargo release from micelles during the process of micelles transformed to vesicles. Following the time-dependent evolution, the intermittent release or stepwise release modes of the loaded cargo realized through adjusting the polarity of the cargo molecules. The strategy advancing from "traditional" release modes under thermodynamic control toward the life-like controllable modes in the far-from-equilibrium state shows unique potential applications on transport vehicles and biomedical field.
Keywords: ATP; dissipative; micelles; self-assembly; supra-amphiphile.