A Light-Responsive Reversible Molecule-Gated System Using Thymine-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

In this paper, a reversible light-responsive molecule-gated system based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) functionalized with thymine derivatives is designed and demonstrated. The closing/opening protocol and release of the entrapped guest molecules is related by a photodimerization-cleavage cycle of thymine upon different irradiation. In the system, thymine derivatives with hydrophilicity and biocompatibility were grafted on the pore outlets of MSN. The irradiation with 365 nm wavelength UV light to thymine-functionalized MSN led to the formation of cyclobutane dimer in the pore outlet, subsequently resulting in blockage of pores and strongly inhibiting the diffusion of guest molecules from pores. With 240 nm wavelength UV light irradiation, the photocleavage of cyclobutane dimer opened the pore and allowed the release of the entrapped guest molecules. As a proof-of-the-concept, Ru(bipy)(3)(2+) was selected as the guest molecule. Then the light-responsive loading and release of Ru(bipy)(3)(2+) were investigated. The results indicated that the system had an excellent loading amount (53 mu mol g(-1) MSN) and controlled release behavior (82% release after irradiation for 24 h), and the light-responsive loading and release procedure exhibited a good reversibility. Besides, the light-responsive system loaded with Ru(bipy)(3)(2+) molecule could also be used as a light-switchable oxygen sensor.