A β-cyclodextrin/graphene oxide hybrid gel with smart responsiveness

Even through gels based on the polymer modified with β-cyclodextrin have been researched widely, there are only few studies focus on gels based on β-cyclodextrin directly. In this study, we report a novel smart responsive β-cyclodextrin/graphene oxide hybrid gel. Graphene oxide can be loaded into the network of β-cyclodextrin gel successfully by co-assembly method, which can be supported by transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. Hydrogen bonding is the main driving force in gel formation from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. More interesting is that β-cyclodextrin/graphene oxide hybrid gel can respond to multiple stimuli sensitively. The change of temperature can induce the formation and deformation of gel reversibly. Besides, gel will collapse with the addition of different metal ions including Na + , K + , Zn 2+ , Ba 2+ and Fe 3+ . Hence, this composite gel is a smart responsive material, may have great potential applications in intelligent material fields. Graphic Abstract In this study, we report a novel smart responsive β-cyclodextrin/graphene oxide hybrid gel. Graphene oxide can be loaded into the network of β-cyclodextrin gel successfully by co-assembly method, which can be supported by transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. Hydrogen bonding is the main driving force in gel formation from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. More interesting is that β-cyclodextrin/graphene oxide hybrid gel can respond to multiple stimuli sensitively. The change of temperature can induce the formation and deformation of gel reversibly. Besides, gel will collapse with the addition of different metal ions including Na + , K + , Zn 2+ , Ba 2+ and Fe 3+ . Hence, this composite gel is a smart responsive material, may have great potential applications in intelligent material fields.