Nanometric sponges made of water-soluble hydrophobic dendrimers.
The behavior of a fifth generation phosphorus dendrimer having a hydrophobic interior and hydrophilic end groups is studied in solution in water using the pulsed-field gradient spin-echo NMR technique. Addition of THF to this solution induces dramatic changes concerning the size of the dendrimer (+150% in volume), T1 relaxation of THF, and viscosity. This dendrimer behaves like a highly singular nanotool, able both to modify its environment and to be modified by it.
Leclaire
Julien
J
Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination CNRS, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France.
Coppel
Yannick
Y
Caminade
Anne-Marie
AM
Majoral
Jean-Pierre
JP