Light-responsive self-assembled microstructures of branched polyethyleneimine at low pH

Soft materials comprising polyethyleneimine (PEI), which integrate low pH-stimulated higher-order assemblies (fibres and sheets) with light responsiveness, have been shown. Excitation wavelength light-driven interactions enable the formation of bead-necklace-type structures in fibres or volume collapse of sheets. This work can have significant implications for transfection or encapsulation through PEI-based complexes.

Automated summary

Soft materials made of polyethyleneimine (PEI), which combine low pH-stimulated higher-order assemblies (fibers and sheets) with light responsiveness, have been demonstrated. Interactions driven by excitation wavelength light enable the formation of bead-necklace-like structures in fibers or volume collapse of sheets. This work can have significant implications for gene transfection or encapsulation using PEI-based complexes.