Langmuir, Vol.26, No.13, 11441-11445, 2010
Unique Organogel Formation with Macroporous Materials Constructed by the Freeze-Drying of Aqueous Cyclodextrin Solutions
Macroporous cyclodextrin materials (MP-alpha-, beta-, and gamma-CDs) were easily fabricated by the freeze-drying of aqueous solutions of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-CDs. These MP-CDs showed the absorption ability toward various organic solvents and oils to give organogels at ambient temperature. The morphological changes of the MP-CD microstructures were observed through the absorption of organic solvents. In particular, the absorption of polar organic solvents with hydrogen-bond forming ability, including 1,4-dioxane and ethanol, by the MP-CDs caused remarkable morphological changes in the microstructures. The absorption of these polar solvents by MP-alpha-and gamma-CDs resulted in the formation of channel-type assemblies of alpha- and gamma-CDs, respectively.