Biocompatible, Functional Spheres Based on Oxidative Coupling Assembly of Green Tea Polyphenols

Green luminescent, monodisperse, smooth, porous and hollow spheres were simply prepared by Cu(2+) and temperature mediated oxidative coupling assembly of green tea polyphenols in water. These polymeric tea polyphenol spheres are GSH responsive, acid resistant but alkali-responsive, ideally used as platform for controlled delivery of functional guests.