Polymeric microcontainer

Bedard, M.F., Munoz-Javier, A., Mueller, R., del Pino, P., Fery, A., Parak, W.J., Skirtach, A.G., Sukhorukov, G.B. On the mechanical stahUity of polymeric microcontainers functionalized with nanoparticles. Soft Matter 2009, 5 (1), 148-155. 

These systems are based on the sensitivity of encapsulated stimuli-responsive polymers. In this case, the response of the material may also affect the microcapsule itself, depending on the interactions between the loaded substance and the polymeric microcontainer. 

To obtain nanocontainers, Wei et al. employed micelles as soft templates to assist the polymerization [83]. Hollow conical nanostructures are produced by a slow polymerization process (Figure 11.8). Microcontainers could be produced in the open or closed state by changing the polymerization time. However, as far as we are aware, most of the reported actuators were based on bulk materials or synergistic properties of nanostmcture bundles instead of single nanostmcture. Wei et al. realized the manipulation of separated nanocontainers by an electrochemical approach to control of the state of the nanocontainer in situ . Studying the switching of single nanostmctured CPs will open potential... 

Figure 11.7 SEM images of polypyrrole microcontainers formed by soft-template polymerization under different electropolymerization conditions. (Reprinted with permission from Advanced Eunctional Materials, Conducting-polymer microcontainers Controlled syntheses and potential applications by V. Bajpai, P. G. He and L M. Dai, 14, 2, 145-151. Copyright (2004) Wiley-VCH)...

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