Fabrication of Multicompartment Particles via Sequential Micromolding Method

Abstract

In this paper, we present a fabrication method of polymeric multicompartment particles via a sequential micromolding process composed of injection of photocurable solution, evaporation of volatile solvent, and photo-polymerization. Depending on the concentration of volatile solvent in photocurable solution, the volume fraction of the multicompartment particles can be controlled. Also, the repetition of the sequential micromolding process with controlled composition of photocurable solution provides controlling the number of compartment in the particles. Based on this principle, we can fabricate single particles, Janus particles and triblock particles with desired fraction of the compartment. In addition, the multicompartment particles are able to be applicable for barcode particles embedding fluorescent dyes at each compartment. The barcode particles encode information about their specific compositions and enable simple identification. These sequential micromolding method for multicompartment particles has several advantages including easy, fast, and cost effective process. We envision that the multicompartment particles have various applications such as drug storage, delivery supporters, biosensors, and advanced materials for inducing highly selective adsorption-desorption.

Directed Assembly of Janus Cylinders by Controlling the Solvent Polarity

“…To validate this approach, the Janus microcylinders are prepared via sequential micromolding. 45,46 Briefly, a hydrophobic photocurable solution based on trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) is loaded into a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) micromold. Then, the ethanol (diluent) is evaporated and subsequent irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) initiates photopolymerization of TMPTA solution.…”

“…First, directed self-assembly by tuning the interactions between the microsized Janus cylinders is demonstrated by controlling the polarity of the solvent used as the assembly media. To validate this approach, the Janus microcylinders are prepared via sequential micromolding. , Briefly, a hydrophobic photocurable solution based on trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) is loaded into a poly­(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) micromold. Then, the ethanol (diluent) is evaporated and subsequent irradiation of ultraviolet (UV) initiates photopolymerization of TMPTA solution.…”

“…The Janus cylinders, which had both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts, were prepared using a sequential micromolding method. , The hydrophobic photocurable solution was prepared as a mixture composed of 45% (v/v) trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) monomer, 5% (v/v) Darocur 1173 (used as a photoinitiator), 50% (v/v) ethanol (used as a diluent) and rhodamine B (10 μM in the total solution) (used as a fluorescent dye). The hydrophilic photocurable solution was prepared as a mixture composed of 99% (w/w) polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA) monomer and 1% (w/w) Irgacure 2959, used as a photoinitiator.…”