LAUSR

Complementary interactions between the natural nucleobases is one of the important ways of biomolecular recognition. Although scientists have introduced such supramolecular non-covalent interactions into biomimetic materials through different approaches in recent years, further research is still needed to confer structural features of biomolecules into emerging stimuli-responsive microgels. In our study, a series of bis-thymine end decorated flexible poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) (T-PNIPAM-T) were obtained through a thymine esterified RAFT agent. Meanwhile, a rigid polymeric backbone poly[1-(4-vinyl benzyl)] adenine (PS A), including several pendant adenines on the side chain was prepared. Through nucleobase complementary pairing subtle supramolecular cross-linked three-dimensional networks were constructed, and further self-assembled to form microgels under the balance between hydrophilicity and block flexibility. More importantly, such supramolecular three-dimensional microgels showed volumetric shrinkage in different water content environments and the assembly behavior under thermo and pH stimulated conditions. This exploration is expected to play an important value and significance in the field of biomimetic controlled release of soft matter in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.