Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.116, No.43, 13106-13113, 2012
Novel Double Phase Transforming Organogel Based on beta-Cyclodextrin in 1,2-Propylene Glycol
This paper describes a novel double phase transforming organogel (gel-sol-gel') composed of nontoxic beta-cyclodextrin, potassium carbonate, and 1,2-propylene glycol. The gel-sol-gel' transforming processes are followed by a reversible gel-sol transforming process and an irreversible sol-gel' transforming process based on heating. The gel-sol-gel' transformation is accompanied by microstructure changes from nanospheres to nanorods. K2CO3 plays a key role in associating supramolecular architectures of beta-cyclodextrin into a three-dimensional network. This work may bring further applications in the areas of smart materials, drug delivery systems, and biomaterials.