A Simple Synthesis Method of Water-Soluble Pseudo-Polyrotaxane Cross-Linkers Based on Cyclodextrin

Currently, preparation of polymerizable polyrotaxane cross-linkers (PCs) or pseudo-polyrotaxane cross-linkers (PPCs), including water-soluble PCs or PPCs requires at least three-step or more complicated chemical reactions. Herein, a simple and effective method is proposed to prepare two kinds of water-soluble pseudo-polyrotaxane cross-linkers based on cyclodextrin. This means it is more convenient to apply the pulley effect to a wider range of hydrogels. The structures of cross-linkers are characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. Further, two kinds of pseudo-polyrotaxane cross-linkers and conventional cross-linker are, respectively, copolymerized with acrylamide to prepare hydrogels to compare the properties of hydrogels. The swelling ratios and deformation ability of hydrogel prepared by pseudo-polyrotaxane cross-linker are better than that of hydrogel prepared by conventional cross-linker.

Automated summary

A simple and effective method was proposed to prepare two kinds of water-soluble pseudo-polyrotaxane cross-linkers based on cyclodextrin, making it more convenient to apply the pulley effect to a wider range of hydrogels. The hydrogels prepared using pseudo-polyrotaxane cross-linkers showed better swelling ratios and deformation ability compared to those prepared using conventional cross-linkers.