Controlled Self-Assembly of Multiple-Responsive Superamphiphilc Polymers Based on Host–Guest Inclusions of a Modified PEG with β-Cyclodextrin

Superamphiphilic polymers (SAPs) constructed by host–guest inclusion can self-assemble into various nanostructures in solution, which can find applications in many fields such as nanodevices, drug delivery, and template synthesis. Herein, we report the controlled self-assembly of multiple-responsive SAP based on a selective host–guest inclusion of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with a modified poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (FcC 11 AzoPEG) consisting of a ferrocene (Fc) end group, a C 11 alkyl chain, an azobenzene (Azo) block, and a poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether (PEG) chain. These SAPs can self-assemble into interesting nanostructures in water upon exposure to different stimuli because β-CD can be selectively included with different guests, such as Fc, Azo, and C 11 alkyl chain, under different stimuli. The inclusion complex of Fc with β-CD (Fc@β-CD SAP) can form nanowire micelles in aqueous solution. The nanowire micelles can be transformed into spindle micelles with the addition of oxidant because the majority of β-CDs dissociated from the complex Fc@β-CD SAP due to a conversion of Fc to Fc + and will preferentially include with Azo group to form another dominant inclusion complex (Azo@β-CD SAP). After UV irradiation, the spindle micelles can be further transformed into spherical micelles because most of β-CDs are excluded from the complex Azo@β-CD SAP due to a trans - to cis -Azo conversion and then form a dominant inclusion complex with C 11 alkyl chains (C 11 @β-CD SAP). This work not only demonstrates the selective host–guest inclusion of stimuli-responsive groups modified PEG with β-CD but also provides a useful approach for construction of diverse morphologies.