Alginate and Polypyrrole Janus-Like Beads

PAC Gym

Alginate is a carbohydrate produced from brown algae. It is a very popular and useful biomaterial that contains a soft gelling behavior. This study uses alginate to produce Janus-like particles using polypyrrole (PPy) and thiols. Calcium cross-linking is used to activate the gelling behavior of the alginate, which is then manipulated to form small beads of alginate. PPy is used to allow for attachment of thiols to the surface of these beads. 1-dodecanethiol is attached to one half of a bead in one attempt at creating a Janus particle. 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein succinimide ester, and 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester are attached to opposite sides of the beads using a cleaved cyst amine in another attempt. The fluorescent properties of these fluorophores allow for easily visible proof of Janus characteristics on these biocompatible beads.