PHOTOCONTROL · Design of photocontrollable polyelectrolyte-based nanoengineered container systems

The objective of the project is to provide a joint comprehensive research on the development of light-sensitive active coatings and light-addressable microdispensors based on the incorporated mesoporous photocatalytic particles loaded with active agent (lubricant, biocide, corrosion inhibitor). The coating will include container either with the inorganic scaffold made of photoactive material (TiO2) coated with polyelectrolyte shell or inert scaffold (SiO2) coated with polyelectrolyte/nanoparticles shell where the introduced nanoparticles are sensitive to the external light. The encapsulation employing Layer-by-Layer (LbL) electrostatic adsorption of polyelectrolyte molecules or charged nanoparticles represents novel and very efficient approach to creation of micro-and non-sized container structures with controlled composition and permeability of the shell for protection, delivery and storage. Of principle importance is a fact that the permeability of the polyelectrolyte containers’ walls can be effectively modulated by introduced nanoparticles making it sensitive to the heat, UV or visible light as well as alternating magnetic field.