Redox-responsive Inclusion Complexation between β-Cyclodextrin and Ferrocene-functionalized Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and its Effect on the Solution Properties of this Polymer

TLDR: In this paper, a redox-responsive inclusion complexation system based on β-CD and poly(NIPAM/FCN) was obtained, where the authors investigated the effect of this complexation on the solution properties of this polymer.

Abstract: Ferrocene-functionalized polymers (poly(NIPAM/FCN)) and their β-CD (β-Cyclodextrin) complex have been prepared. The inclusion complexation between them was investigated by several techniques, including 1H NMR spectra, cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis spectra and dynamic light scattering measurements. The results showed that β-CD could interact with the reduced ferrocene side groups and hardly affect the oxidized form. Thus a redox-responsive inclusion complexation system based on β-CD and poly(NIPAM/FCN) was obtained. In addition, the effect of this inclusion complexation on the solution properties of this polymer was also investigated. LCST (lower critical solution temperature) increased and the viscosity decreased upon addition of β-CD into the reduced polymer solution due to the disruption of the hydrophobic interaction between the ferrocene side groups by the inclusion complexation. Yet LCST and viscosity of the oxidized polymer solution changed slightly, which resulted from the weak interaction exerted by ...