Embedment of Quantum Dots and Biomolecules in a Dipeptide Hydrogel Formed In Situ Using Microfluidics
Yue Li, Max J. Männel, Nicolas Hauck, Himanshu P. Patel, Günter K. Auernhammer, Soosang Chae, Andreas Fery, Junbai Li, Julian Thiele
Abstract
As low-molecular-weight hydrogelators, dipeptide hydrogel materials are suited for embedding multiple organic molecules and inorganic nanoparticles. Herein, a simple but precisely controllable method is presented that enables the fabrication of dipeptide-based hydrogels by supramolecular assembly inside microfluidic channels. Water-soluble quantum dots (QDs) as well as premixed porphyrins and a dipeptide in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were injected into a Y-shaped microfluidic junction. At the DMSO/water interface, the confined fabrication of a dipeptide-based hydrogel was initiated. Thereafter, the as-formed hydrogel flowed along a meandering microchannel in a continuous fashion, gradually completing gelation and QD entrapment. In contrast to hydrogelation in conventional test tubes, microfluidically controlled hydrogelation led to a tailored dipeptide hydrogel regarding material morphology and nanoparticle distribution.