Stable and robust polymer nanotubes streteched from polymersomes

We create long polymer nanotubes by directly pulling on the membrane of polymersomes using either optical tweezers or a micropipette. The polymersomes are composed of amphiphilic diblock copolymers, and the nanotubes formed have an aqueous core connected to the aqueous interior of the polymersome. W...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2006-01, Vol.103 (5), p.1173
Main Authors: Reiner, Joseph E, Wells, Jeffrey M, Kishore, Rani B, Pfefferkorn, Candace, Helmerson, Kristian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biophysics
Chemistry
Nanotubes
Optics
Polymers
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We create long polymer nanotubes by directly pulling on the membrane of polymersomes using either optical tweezers or a micropipette. The polymersomes are composed of amphiphilic diblock copolymers, and the nanotubes formed have an aqueous core connected to the aqueous interior of the polymersome. We stabilize the pulled nanotubes by subsequent chemical cross-linking. The cross-linked nanotubes are extremely robust and can be moved to another medium for use elsewhere. We demonstrate the ability to form networks of polymer nanotubes and polymersomes by optical manipulation. The aqueous core of the polymer nanotubes together with their robust character makes them interesting candidates for nanofluidics and other applications in biotechnology. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490