Titanium dioxide nanoparticles embedded in assembled dipeptide hydrogels for microfluidic photodegradation

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Yue Li - , Jilin University, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Tianfang Zheng - , Jilin University (Author)
  • Yixuan Du - , Chair of Physical Chemistry of Polymeric Materials, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Binyu Zhao - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Himanshu P. Patel - , Chair of Physical Chemistry of Polymeric Materials, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Regine Boldt - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Günter K. Auernhammer - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Andreas Fery - , Chair of Physical Chemistry of Polymeric Materials, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Junbai Li - , CAS - Institute of Chemistry (Author)
  • Julian Thiele - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg (Author)

Abstract

Dipeptides can be self-assembled via non-covalent bonds towards functional nanostructures for diverse applications in nanotechnology. Here, we introduce a convenient microfluidics-guided dipeptide design as a platform for photodegradation of contaminants in water. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are chosen as photocatalysts due to their vastly studied properties. By using a well-defined microchannel architecture, the dipeptide N-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) and TiO2 NPs are efficiently mixed leading to a self-assembled Fmoc-FF hydrogel with embedded TiO2. Owing to shear-thinning and rapid self-healing of Fmoc-FF hydrogels, we can transfer and inject Fmoc-FF/TiO2 hydrogels into any other microdevice for specific applications, where these low-molecular-weight-gelator- (LMWG-)based Fmoc-FF hydrogels fill out the microchannel volume. Different morphologies of Fmoc-FF/TiO2 hydrogels are obtained by simple concentration screening of TiO2 NPs and Fmoc-FF. Owing to the density of the three-dimensionally twined Fmoc-FF nanofibers, solutions swelling the dipeptide hydrogel can be exchanged without leaching out TiO2 NPs. By further analysis, our hydrogel-filled flow cell can be employed for continuous-flow photodegradation in water under light irradiation. Especially, compared to the TiO2 NPs suspension, Fmoc-FF/TiO2 hydrogels with relatively low concentrations of TiO2 exhibit enhanced photodegradation capabilities due to better dispersion of nanoparticles. Such strategy provides a versatile platform for embedment of small inorganic catalysts or enzymes for (bio-)chemical conversion of solutes passing through the hydrogel network.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)405-412
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of colloid and interface science
Volume654
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jan 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 37852026

Keywords

Keywords

  • Dipeptide, Hydrogel, Nanotechnology, Self-assembly, Supramolecular assembly