Stable and robust nanotubes formed from self-assembled polymer membranes

Kristian Helmerson; Joseph E. Reiner; Rani B. Kishore; Ana Jofre; Maria Allegrini; Candace Pfefferkorn; Jeffrey M. Wells

doi:10.1117/12.681391

11 September 2006 Stable and robust nanotubes formed from self-assembled polymer membranes

Kristian Helmerson, Joseph E. Reiner, Rani B. Kishore, Ana Jofre, Maria Allegrini, Candace Pfefferkorn, Jeffrey M. Wells

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6326, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation III; 63261Z (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681391
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

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.

Citation Download Citation

Kristian Helmerson, Joseph E. Reiner, Rani B. Kishore, Ana Jofre, Maria Allegrini, Candace Pfefferkorn, and Jeffrey M. Wells "Stable and robust nanotubes formed from self-assembled polymer membranes", Proc. SPIE 6326, Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation III, 63261Z (11 September 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681391

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