Molecular inclusion complexation and recognition behavior of amphiphilic hyperbranched polymer carrying β-cyclodextrin as pendant groups on shell layer

The molecular inclusion complexation and recognition behavior of amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers with β-cyclodextrin as pendant groups on the shell layer were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy in buffer solution(pH=11) at 25 °C. The results indicate that these polymers posses double inclusion capabilities from both β-cyclodextrin and amphiphilic hyperbranched polymer, and also can form inclusion complexation with single-guest, including phenolphthalein, methyl orange, and 4-nitrophenol, respectively. Furthermore, these polymers possess much stronger inclusion capability than that of single β-cyclodextrin or amphiphilic hyperbranched polymer. On the other hand, these polymers show double recognition behavior when methyl orange solution is added dropwise into phenolphthalein solution containing polymers. The phenomenon can be attributed to the existence of the different cavities from both β-cyclodextrin and hyperbranched polymer. In addition, the double-guest inclusion behavior of these polymers was also studied via selecting a complex guests system of phenolphthalein and methyl orange.