Embedment of Quantum Dots and Biomolecules in a Dipeptide Hydrogel Formed In Situ Using Microfluidics
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
As low-molecular-weight hydrogelators, dipeptide hydrogel materials are suited for embedding multiple organic molecules and inorganic nanoparticles. Herein, a simple but precisely controllable method is presented that enables the fabrication of dipeptide-based hydrogels by supramolecular assembly inside microfluidic channels. Water-soluble quantum dots (QDs) as well as premixed porphyrins and a dipeptide in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were injected into a Y-shaped microfluidic junction. At the DMSO/water interface, the confined fabrication of a dipeptide-based hydrogel was initiated. Thereafter, the as-formed hydrogel flowed along a meandering microchannel in a continuous fashion, gradually completing gelation and QD entrapment. In contrast to hydrogelation in conventional test tubes, microfluidically controlled hydrogelation led to a tailored dipeptide hydrogel regarding material morphology and nanoparticle distribution.
Details
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 6724-6732 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Angewandte Chemie - International Edition |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Mar 2021 |
| Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
| PubMed | 33283395 |
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Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- continuous-flow microfluidics, dipeptides, microchannel-confined assembly, nanostructures, supramolecular assembly