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Micrometer‐Sized Spherical Assemblies of Polypeptides and Small Molecules by Acid–Base Chemistry
Author(s) -
McKenna Brandon J.,
Birkedal Henrik,
Bartl Michael H.,
Deming Timothy J.,
Stucky Galen D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.200460510
Subject(s) - polymer , micrometer , colloid , template , chemistry , molecule , spheres , condensation , fluorescence , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , ion , microsphere , polymer chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , optics , physics , engineering , astronomy , thermodynamics
Spontaneous formation of microspheres is observed when charged poly(amino acid)s are combined with certain oppositely charged, multivalent organic ions. The surfaces of the spheres are chemically active and act as templates for silica condensation, and the assemblies can be made hollow or polymer‐filled, depending on the silica precursor (see image; the fluorescent polymer forms a layer inside a colloidal‐silica‐coated sphere).