Hybrid supramolecular hydrogels induced by Au nanoparticles protected with MPEG-b-PCL copolymers with α-cyclodextrin

Abstract

To fabricate supramolecular hydrogel hybridised with well-dispersed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), water-soluble AuNPs protected with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (MPEG-b-PCL) self-assembled monolayers (MPEG-b-PCL/AuNPs) were synthesised and used as guest molecules to interact with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in aqueous solutions. Transmission electron microscopy measurement results showed that the diameter of the AuNPs produced was about 6–10 nm with a narrow particle size distribution, and stained MPEG-b-PCL/AuNPs micelles made in water clearly displayed the formation of a core-shell structure with a single gold core per micelle. X-ray diffraction measurement results confirmed that there existed the characteristic peaks of both AuNPs and polypseudorotaxanes formed via the inclusion complexation of MPEG-b-PCL moieties with α-CD in as-obtained hydrogels. UV–visible spectra displayed that the same surface plasma resonance absorption peaks appeared at 526 nm for both aqueous dispersion of MPEG-b-PCL/AuNPs and resultant hybrid hydrogel with α-CD. Rheological measurements showed that the hybrid hydrogel has a lower mechanical strength and viscosity, and a relatively prolonged gelation time in comparison with the corresponding native hydrogel. The mechanical strength of the hydrogel nanocomposites could be tailored by modulating the concentration of MPEG-b-PCL/AuNPs and α-CD as well as the composition of MPEG-b-PCL/AuNPs.

Keywords::

• Au nanoparticle
• supramolecular hydrogel
• self-assembled monolayer
• α-cyclodextrin
• inclusion complexation

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Nature Science Foundation of Hubei Province (no. 2010CDB04903), Foundation of Hubei Educational Committee (no. Q20101603) and SRF for ROCS, SEM.