Molecule‐Responsive Polymer Monolith as a Smart Gate Driven by Host–Guest Interaction with Morphology Restoration

Abstract

Materials that function in response to the molecules are attracting attention as smart materials. In particular, the autonomous change in permeability is an attractive function of the biomimetic materials in the fields of microfluidic devices, transport control, and sensing. In this study, a monolith that incorporates crosslinked points formed by an inclusion complex of β‐cyclodextrin and phenyl groups is prepared and applied for permeability control. Monoliths with continuous pores of several micrometers in size show a reversible permeability change in response to the specific molecules. During the supramolecular bond dissociation/reformation cycle, the monoliths restore their permeability along with their original porous structure.