Recently, Prof. Zhu Qingzeng's research group has made important research progress in the field of photoresponsive organosilicon functional materials. They designed and synthesized a series of photoresponsive silanes, and further prepared several photoresponsive organosilicon materials. These organosilicon functional materials created a light‒triggered, stepwise and precise controlled release platform for target molecules. Combined with photopatterning techniques, accurate protein micropatterns are fabricated. A gradient protein pattern is also spatially and temporally controlled by regulating irradiation parameters. This smart photoresponsive polymer surface provides a gentle and straightforward strategy to micropattern charged proteins.The photoresponsive polymer holds permitting potential inprecise controlled releasing of molecules, guiding cell arrays, resisting bacteria and biochips, etc. The related research results have been published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (IF=9.229, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c10542) entitled "Photoresponsive Bridged Polysilsesquioxanes for Protein Immobilization/Controlled Release and Micropatterns", Polymers (IF=4.329, DOI: 10.3390/polym13152392) entitled "Precise Controlled Target Molecule Release through Light-Triggered Charge Reversal Bridged Polysilsesquioxane Nanoparticles", and Chinese Science Bulletin (DOI: 10.1360/TB-2020-1467) entitled "Light controlled release system based on photoresponsive bridged polysilsesquioxane nanocarriers (in Chinese)". Meanwhile, four Chinese invention patents have been authorized (CN110540549B, CN111494340B, CN112011055B and CN112047974B). Prof. Zhu Qingzeng is the corresponding author and PhD candidate Zhang Xin is the first author. Shandong University is the first author institute and the sole corresponding author institute.

The main molecular chain of organosilicon materials is a repeat of Si‒O units, linking with organic groups on Si atoms. The special chemical structure makes the materials integrate the functional characteristics of organic and inorganic materials, including excellent thermal stability, biocompatibility, good weather and aging resistance. Therefore, organosilicon materials, a kind of important emerging materials, play the irreplaceable roles in some special application fields, such as in aeronautics and astronautics industry. Prof. Zhu Qingzeng's group designed and synthesized a series of photoresponsive bridged siloxanes, and prepares novel light‒triggered charge shifting polysilsesquioxane materials for protein micropatterns. Under irradiation at 410 nm, the surface property of organosilicon materials switches from a positive charge to a negative charge state, resulting in light‒controlled immobilizing and releasing of proteins. Protein micropatterns were precisely fabricated by light. By adjusting the irradiation parameters with spatiotemporal resolution, the protein concentrations, position, and the shape and size of the micropatterns could be precisely controlled. The light‒triggered charge shifting polysilsesquioxane materials have been first applied for protein micropatterning, and has important application in biochips, cell immobilization, antibacterial coatings and other biomedical fields.

Organosilicon materials are wonderful carriers for molecules. Zhu’s group has developed alight‒controlled release system which could precisely control the release behavior of target molecules. It is achieved by the combination with simple and convenient irradiation and electrostatic interactions. In the release system, the novel polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles with light‒triggered charge reversal properties are designed and synthesized as carriers. By regulating irradiation density, time and On/Off mode, the release time, location and release dosage of molecules could be accurately controlled in multiple dimensions. This kind of organosilicon materials and technology strategies can be used for the delivery and release of target molecules, such as food additives, dyes, cosmetics, pesticides, UV absorbers and drugs.

Prof. Zhu Qingzeng’s research group focuses on polymer chemistry and physics, organosilicon materials, high performance polymers and biomaterials research. Prof. Zhu emphasizes the theory and technology research of polymer materials in application and processing process. In recent years, he has fulfilled seven national projects, two major independent innovation projects of Shandong Province and more than 16 industry projects. He also joined two international cooperation projects of Boeing Co. Ltd and Henkel Co. Ltd, respectively. Prof. Zhu has published 76 academic papers in the key international academic journals, such as ACS Appl. Mater. Inter., Macromol. Rapid Commn., Polymer, Eur. Polym. J, Langmuir, Chem. Eur. J, "Organosilicon Polymers and Their Applications" (2004,Chemical Industry Press). He was authorized 20 Chinese invention patents. His two high technological products were commercialized.

The above research works were supported by the Key Research and Development Project of Shandong Province (2019JMRH0206), Fundamental Research Funds for the central universities (2061006), Key Supporting Regions of Shandong Province talents project (2020), and Weifang Yuandu Industry Leading Talent Project (2017 (136)).

The related research paper is available at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.1c10542; https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/15/2392; https://www.sciengine.com/publisher/scp/journal/CSB/66/14/10.1360/TB-2020-1467