Dual-responsive colloidal microcapsules based on host-guest interaction on solid templates

Colloidal microcapsules (MCs) have received considerable attention in the fields of microencapsulation , drug delivery as well as microreactors due to their unique nanoparticles-composed structure. In this study, dual-responsive colloidal MCs based on host-guest interaction were successfully fabricated via a layer-by-layer assembly method on sacrificial solid templates. Ferrocene-modified polyethylenimine (PEI-Fc) and cyclodextrin-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-CD NPs) were used as building blocks for assembly. The colloidal MCs could be disassembled into nano-components upon addition of competitive adamantane (Ad) molecules or in the solution with a pH lower than 4.