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Natural nanoparticle complexes at water-water interfaces

Author

Listed:
  • Han Wang

    (Northeast Forestry University
    Northeast Forestry University)

  • Yi Lu

    (University of British Columbia)

  • Long Bai

    (Northeast Forestry University
    University of British Columbia)

  • Mengqi Zhu

    (Northeast Forestry University)

  • Xiyue Liu

    (Northeast Forestry University)

  • Zhiguo Li

    (Northeast Forestry University)

  • Yang Liu

    (Northeast Forestry University)

  • Wei Li

    (Northeast Forestry University
    Northeast Forestry University)

  • Shouxin Liu

    (Northeast Forestry University)

  • Siqi Huan

    (Northeast Forestry University
    Northeast Forestry University
    University of British Columbia)

  • Chaoji Chen

    (Wuhan University)

  • Thomas P. Russell

    (University of Massachusetts Amherst
    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
    Aoba)

  • Orlando J. Rojas

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia)

Abstract

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) with multifunctional attributes have significant promise as biomimetic materials, but current approaches do not harness their full potential. Here, we show that ATPSs can be stabilized to form microcapsules by the interfacial assembly of chitin nanofibers (ChNF) and rod-like cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). The high structural stability of the ChNF/CNC complexes integrates permeability and transport across the membrane at the liquid/liquid interface. Driven by density and osmotic stress gradients, the microcapsules show switchable motility, including cyclic meniscus-climbing and subsurface transport. These observations demonstrate a self-regulating system with potential for cargo transfer, cell biomimicry, as well as ATPSs-based microreactors and microrobots.

Suggested Citation

  • Han Wang & Yi Lu & Long Bai & Mengqi Zhu & Xiyue Liu & Zhiguo Li & Yang Liu & Wei Li & Shouxin Liu & Siqi Huan & Chaoji Chen & Thomas P. Russell & Orlando J. Rojas, 2025. "Natural nanoparticle complexes at water-water interfaces," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60587-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60587-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Han Tao & Carlo Rigoni & Hailong Li & Antti Koistinen & Jaakko V. I. Timonen & Jiancheng Zhou & Eero Kontturi & Orlando J. Rojas & Guang Chu, 2023. "Thermodynamically controlled multiphase separation of heterogeneous liquid crystal colloids," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Ahmadreza Ghaffarkhah & Seyyed Alireza Hashemi & Farhad Ahmadijokani & Milad Goodarzi & Hossein Riazi & Sameer E. Mhatre & Orysia Zaremba & Orlando J. Rojas & Masoud Soroush & Thomas P. Russell & Stef, 2023. "Functional Janus structured liquids and aerogels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Chongrui Zhang & Xufei Liu & Jiang Gong & Qiang Zhao, 2023. "Liquid sculpture and curing of bio-inspired polyelectrolyte aqueous two-phase systems," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. David L. Hu & John W. M. Bush, 2005. "Meniscus-climbing insects," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7059), pages 733-736, September.
    5. Yang Song & Thomas C. T. Michaels & Qingming Ma & Zhou Liu & Hao Yuan & Shuichi Takayama & Tuomas P. J. Knowles & Ho Cheung Shum, 2018. "Budding-like division of all-aqueous emulsion droplets modulated by networks of protein nanofibrils," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
    6. Han Tao & Carlo Rigoni & Hailong Li & Antti Koistinen & Jaakko V. I. Timonen & Jiancheng Zhou & Eero Kontturi & Orlando J. Rojas & Guang Chu, 2023. "Publisher Correction: Thermodynamically controlled multiphase separation of heterogeneous liquid crystal colloids," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-1, December.
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