Multicompartmental Microcapsules with Orthogonal Programmable Two-Way Sequencing of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Cargo Release

Multicompartmental responsive microstructures with the capability for the pre-programmed sequential release of multiple target molecules of opposite solubility (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) in a controlled manner have been fabricated. Star block copolymers with dual-responsive blocks (temperature for poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) chains and pH for poly(acrylic acid) and poly(2-vinylpyridine) arms) and unimolecular micellar structures serve as nanocarriers for hydrophobic molecules in the microcapsule shell. The interior of the microcapsule can be loaded with water-soluble hydrophilic macromolecules. For these dual-loaded microcapsules, a programmable and sequential release of hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules from the shell and core, respectively, can be triggered independently by temperature and pH variations. These stimuli affect the hydrophobicity and chain conformation of the star block copolymers to initiate out-of-shell release (elevated temperature), or change the overall star conformation and interlayer interactions to trigger increased permeability of the shell and out-of-core release (pH). Reversing stimulus order completely alters the release process.