A low molecular weight gelator with a fluorescent 1,8-naphthalimide unit forms micro- and nanoparticles in aqueous media. Slow addition of a DMSO solution of the gelator into water affords either a self-assembled fibrillar network, sheaf-like microparticles, or nanoparticles depending to the concentration used in the experiment. The micro- and nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), electron microscopy, and fluorescence measurements. In an initial assay of particle loading, Rose Bengal and Rhodamine 123 were shown to be incorporated in the particles. Light-promoted singlet oxygen generation capabilities of Rose Bengal were modulated by its incorporation in the particles. Additionally, the particles were found to promote the transport of Rhodamine 123 into human lung carcinoma live cells. These results indicate that nanoparticles arising from low molecular weight gelators may represent a new type of nanocarriers, being a potential alternative to polymeric nanogels used in nanomedicine.

中文翻译：

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将超分子凝胶定型为微米和纳米颗粒

具有荧光1,8-萘二甲酰亚胺单元的低分子量胶凝剂会在水性介质中形成微粒和纳米颗粒。缓慢将胶凝剂的DMSO溶液添加到水中，这取决于实验中使用的浓度，可提供自组装的纤维状网络，束状微粒或纳米颗粒。通过动态光散射（DLS），电子显微镜和荧光测量对微颗粒和纳米颗粒进行表征。在颗粒负载的初步测定中，玫瑰红和若丹明123被证明掺入颗粒中。玫瑰红的光促进单线态氧产生能力是通过将其掺入颗粒中来调节的。另外，发现该颗粒促进若丹明123向人肺癌活细胞中的转运。