Janus quantum dot vesicles generated through membrane fusion

Abstract

This paper reports a non-phase separation method to prepare a novel type of Janus vesicle, which contains different quantum dots (QDs) in its two hemispheres. The Janus vesicles were generated through the fusion of cyclodextrin or adamantane-functionalized hyperbranched polymer vesicles incorporated with QDs, driven by the intervesicular host–guest molecular recognition. Both the vesicle structure and the real-time membrane fusion process were revealed under fluorescence microscopy, by taking advantage of the giant size, great stability, and controllable surface functionality of the hyperbranched polymer vesicles (BPs). More interestingly, a potential magnetically controlled printing application of the Janus vesicles with Fe₃O₄-containing hemispheres by their monolayer patterning in water was demonstrated, which realized the first “printing” of ordered vesicles.