Two‐Component Hydrogels Formed by Cyclodextrins and Dicationic Imidazolium Salts

What is it about?

We obtained and studied rwo-component supramolecular hydrogels obtained by diimidazolium salts differing for the alkyl chian length and anion, and cyclodextrin. We thorougly characterized the materials obtained in tterms of thermal stabilty, gelation kinetics, and morphology. Importantly we studied the which interactions btetween the imidazolium salts and cyclodextrin give rise to the gels, by 1H-NMR, polarimetry and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements.

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Why is it important?

We demonstrated that in these systems gelation arises from the formation of inclusion complexes between the imidazolium salts and cyclodextrin. Notably, this approach is completely different more versatile than the one employing polymer as guest. Usng native cyclodextrin here, allows an easy modification of the properties of the materials simply by varying the ratio of the two components.