Programmable Host-Guest Recognition for Shape-Shifting Supramolecular Nanostructure States.

ABSTRACT: The ability to design nanostructures with programmable and reversible morphological transformations is essential for advancing supramolecular chemistry toward functional biomaterials. Here, a pH-sensitive supramolecular system is shown comprising a peptide amphiphile functionalized with carboxylate-terminated bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BO) guest molecules along with a cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) host modified with a pendant PEG chain. This system enables dynamic transitions among three nanostructure states: filamentous nanofibers, spherical micelles, and nanoscale aggregates. These transitions are governed by pH-dependent CB[7]-BO complexation, which modulates the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and steric repulsion of the self-assembling units. The nanostructure transformations are reversible, allo

SUBMITTER: Su B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12664295 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature