Modular click assembly of degradable capsules using polyrotaxanes

Abstract

Figure Persented: A modular approach for the formation of degradable capsules using polyrotaxanes (PRXs) is described. The PRXs consist of α-cyclodextrin (αCD) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), which are both biologically benign and the main degradation products of the capsules. The PRXs were equipped with three alkyne groups at their ends and could be successfully grafted to azide-functionalized silica particles (2.76 μm diameter) using azide-alkyne click chemistry. The assembled PRXs were then cross-linked using a degradable linker. The cross-linked structure was sufficiently robust to allow the formation of capsules after dissolving the template silica particles. The formation of capsules ..