Poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT-g-PEG) was synthesized by a coupling reaction and formed inclusion complexes (ICs) after selective threading of the PEG segment of the MWNT-g-PEG through the cavities of a-cyclodextrins (a-CDs) units. The polypseudorotaxane structures of the as-obtained hydrogels were confirmed by 1 H NMR, X-ray diffraction and DSC analyses. The complexation of the PEG segments with a-CDs and the hydrophobic interaction between the MWNT resulted in the formation of supramolecular hybrid hydrogels with a strong network. Thermal analysis showed that the thermal stability of the hydrogel was substantially improved by up to 100 C higher than that of native hydrogel. The resultant hybrid hydrogels were found to be thixotropic and reversible, and could be applied as a promising injectable drug delivery system. The mechanical strength of the hybrid hydrogels was greatly improved in comparison with that of the corresponding native hydrogels. V C 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: [3145][3146][3147][3148][3149][3150][3151] 2010

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