Synergistic co-entrapment and triggered release in hollow nanocapsules with uniform nanopores.

We describe a new co-entrapment and release motif based on the combination of noncovalent and steric interactions in materials with well-defined nanopores. Individual components enter hollow nanocapsules through nanopores in the capsule shell. Their complex, larger than the pore size, remains entrapped. The dissociation of the complex upon external stimulus releases entrapped components. Reversible formation of complexes between diaza-18-crown-6 and metal ions was used to demonstrate the feasibility of new approach to co-entrapment and triggered release.