Selective activation of dynamics in kinetically frozen supramolecular polymer bottlebrush assemblies


Hans F. Ulricha, b, Tobias Kleina,b, Ziliang Zhaoc, d, Zoltán Cseresnyése, Pablo Carravillac, d, Ruman Gerste, Alina Kasbergg, Frederic P. Scharfenberga, Marc Thilo Figgee f, Christian Eggelingb, c, d, Johannes C. Brendela, b, g, *
a Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany.
b Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany.
c Institute for Applied Optics and Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany.
d Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V., member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), 07743 Jena, Germany.
e Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), 07743 Jena, Germany.
f Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany.
g Macromolecular Chemistry I, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.

Abstract

Supramolecular assemblies are typically characterized by their dynamic nature due to the comparable weak non-covalent
interactions. While these properties confer adaptability, stability issues may limit application in areas such as drug delivery or
tissue engineering. Here, we show that supramolecular assemblies of amphiphilic polymers containing benzenetrispeptide and
benzenetrisureas motifs are inherently stable and non-dynamic at ambient conditions, but dynamic exchange can be selectively
activated. Stimulated emission depletion microscopy combined with automated image analysis revealed no dynamic exchange between
complementary labeled fibers independent of the length of the hydrophobic domains at ambient conditions in pure water for several
days. Competitive solvent addition facilitates dynamic exchange but compromises stability. Raising the temperature of the samples
in pure water to 60 °C, however, induces similar dynamics while fiber stability is maintained. The amphiphilic character in
combination with the strong hydrogen bonds seems to endow these supramolecular polymer brushes with unique switchable dynamics.

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