Self-Assembly Behavior of a Linear-Star Supramolecular Amphiphile Based on Host–Guest Complexation

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A star polymer, β-cyclodextrin-poly(l-lactide) (β-CD–PLLA), and a linear polymer, azobenzene–poly(ethylene glycol) (Azo–PEG), could self-assemble into a supramolecular amphiphilic copolymer (β-CD–PLLA@Azo–PEG) based on the host–guest interaction between β-CD and azobenzene moieties. This linear-star supramolecular amphiphilic copolymer further self-assembled into a variety of morphologies, including sphere-like micelle, carambola-like micelle, naan-like micelle, shuttle-like lamellae, tube-like fiber, and random curled-up lamellae, by tuning the length of hydrophilic or hydrophobic chains. The variation of morphology was closely related to the topological structure and block ratio of the supramolecular amphiphiles. These self-assembly structures could disassemble upon an ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation.
Funding Information
  • Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (2014CB932200)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (21174147, 51325304)
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences

This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit: