Supramolecular hydrogels were instantaneously fabricated by mixing aqueous solutions of α-cyclodextrins (α-CDs) and amphiphilic methoxy (polyethylene glycol) (MPEG)-ε-caprolactone (CL) oligomer, which was synthesized via the ring-opening polymerization of the CL monomer using low-molecular-weight MPEG (M _n of MPEG=2,000 g/mol) as an initiator. The supramolecular structure of the hydrogels was revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Rheological studies of the hydrogels revealed an elastic character when the number of CL units in the oligomer was more than 2, and the obtained hydrogels showed high storage modulus but relatively low shearing viscosity due to the low-molecular-weight character of the oligomer, which was more preferable for use as an injectable delivery system. The physical properties of the hydrogels could be modulated by controlling the chain morphology and concentration of the oligomers, as well as the feed molar ratio of the oligomer to α-CD. The components of the supramolecular hydrogels are biocompatible and can readily be eliminated from the body. These features render the supramolecular hydrogels suitable as drug delivery systems and tissue engineering scaffolds.

中文翻译：

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两亲性低聚物与α-环糊精之间的包合作用瞬间形成超分子水凝胶

超分子水凝胶是通过将α-环糊精（α-CD）和两亲性甲氧基（聚乙二醇）（MPEG）-ε-己内酯（CL）低聚物的水溶液混合而瞬时制备的，后者是通过CL单体的开环聚合反应合成的使用低分子量MPEG（M _n MPEG ＝ 2,000g / mol）作为引发剂。通过X射线衍射（XRD）分析揭示了水凝胶的超分子结构。水凝胶的流变学研究表明，当低聚物中的CL单元数大于2时，其具有弹性特性，并且由于低聚物的低分子量特性，所获得的水凝胶显示出高的储能模量但剪切粘度相对较低，因此更优选用作注射递送系统。可通过控制低聚物的链形态和浓度以及低聚物与α-CD的进料摩尔比来调节水凝胶的物理性质。超分子水凝胶的成分具有生物相容性，可以很容易地从体内清除。