Structural characteristics and the label-free detection of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/cucurbit[7]uril)pseudorotaxane at single molecule level

A multi-technique approach to prove the preparation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/cucurbit[7]uril)pseudorotaxanes(PEDOT∙CB7-PPs)is reported.Molecular docking simulation and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI MS)validate the complexation ability of the CB7 molecule towards 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene(EDOT),which leads to the EDOT∙CB7 inclusion complex.Oxidative polymerization of EDOT∙CB7 enabled the synthesis of PEDOT∙CB7-PPs.The water-soluble part of PEDOT∙CB7-PPs was selected,freeze-dried,and chemically characterized.Furthermore,dynamic light scattering(DLS)has been used to study the particle size and z-potential(ZP-ζ)of PEDOT∙CB7-PPs.The ZP-ζvalue(35 mV)evidenced that the PEDOT∙CB7-PPs formed stable water dispersion.By combining the emerging nanopore resistive pulse sensing technique(Np-RPS)and computational modeling,we identified strong interactions of PEDOT∙CB7-PPs with the aerolysin(Ael)nanopore.PEDOT∙CB7-PPs behave as positive charged species,and thus trans negative bias promotes its interactions with the Ael nanopore.The computational modeling results are fully consistent with the Np-RPS detection,which also reveals strong interactions between PEDOT∙CB7-PPs and the Ael nanopore.With this study,we hope to provide new insights and a better understanding of the interactions between supramolecular complexes based on CB7 and biological entities,which is instrumental for future applications in the field of nanobiotechnology.