Onion-like multilayered polymer capsules synthesized by a bioinspired inside-out technique

Diverse structures in nature, such as the spinal disc and the onion have many concentric layers, and are created starting from the core and proceeding outwards. Here, we demonstrate an inside-out technique for creating multilayered polymer capsules. First, an initiator-loaded gel core is placed in a solution of monomer 1. The initiator diffuses outward and induces polymerization, leading to a shell of polymer 1. Thereafter, the core-shell structure is loaded with fresh initiator and placed in monomer 2, which causes a concentric shell of polymer 2 to form around the first shell. This process can be repeated to form multiple layers, each of a distinct polymer, and of controlled layer thickness. We show that these multilayered capsules can exhibit remarkable mechanical resilience as well as stimuli-responsive properties. The release of solutes from these capsules can be tailored to follow specific profiles depending on the chemistry and order of adjacent layers.
Multiple concentric layers are present in a variety of structures present in nature, including the onion. Here, the authors show an inside-out strategy to synthesize multilayered polymer capsules, with different layers having specific composition and thereby specific responses to stimuli such as pH and temperature.