Navigating the nano-world - magnetic steering and manipulation of polymersome nanomotors

This dataset is connected to a thesis. In this thesis we propose the diamagnetic steering of polymersome nanomotors as a solution for directional motion. Diamagnetic steering is the biocompatible alternative for ferro- or paramagnetic steering, which relies on the incorporation of ferro/paramagnetic materials in the polymersome. The use of ferro- or paramagnetic nanomotors is undesirable due to safety concerns as some magnetic nanomotors have demonstrated toxic effects. Besides toxicity, ferro- and paramagnetic steering could also lead to magnetic propulsion of the motor towards the magnet, whereas diamagnetic steering solely orients the motor, which is ideal for full motion control. As a model we studied poly(ethylene glycol)-polystyrene (PEG-PS) as our block copolymer. The hydrophilic PEG provided biocompatibility and simplicity to the system whereas the hydrophobic PS offered tunability of the vesicle flexibility due its high glass transition temperature. Therefore, it is possible to kinetically trap various polymersome shapes or increase its permeability upon changing the environment of the polymersome. Moreover, PS offers a high magnetic response due to its phenyl groups, which allows for partial magnetic alignment.