The Construction and Transition of Supramolecular Hydrogels Induced by Cyclodextrin Inclusion

Abstract

Soft hydrogel nano‐ and micro‐structures have great potential applications in the field of tissue engineering and chemical sensors. In this paper, a supramolecular hydrogel was constructed by combining a triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)100‐(propyleneoxide)70‐(ethyleneoxide)100 (PEO100‐PPO70‐PEO100 ) (Pluronic F127), mono‐6‐thio‐β‐cyclodextrins (SH‐β‐CDs), and silver nanoparticles. Here, SH‐β‐CDs couple to the silver nanoparticles via thio groups and include PPO blocks of F127 using the hydrophobic cavity to form pseudo‐polyrotaxanes. Moreover, the hydrogel can be transformed to a homogenous solution by the addition of hydrochloride powder. These results are important for research related to the construction of soft hydrogel materials and control their mechanical properties.

Multiple-responsive supramolecular vesicle based on azobenzene–cyclodextrin host–guest interaction

“…The better complex-forming ability and low toxicity of cyclodextrins (CDs) make them to be a good choice for the host molecules to prepare responsive vesicles. [39][40][41] For example, Huang et al prepared a system of spherical vesicles constructed by self-assembly of inclusion complexes formed by amphiphilic molecule (4-butyl-4 0 -(oxy-2,3-epoxypropyl) azobenzene, C 4 AG) and b-CD in water. 42 The formed spherical vesicles were transformed into bacteria-like vesicles triggered by UV irradiation.…”