Associations Between Hydrophibically End-Capped Polyethylene Oxide and Water Soluble (β Cyclodextrin Polymers

Abstract

In this study, polyethylene oxide chains have been hydrophobically end-modified with naphthalene groups (PEO-N), and water soluble ß-cyclodextrin polymers (ß-CD/EP) have been synthesized. An original associating system can be obtained by mixing these two polymers in aqueous solutions. Inclusion complex formation between the hydrophobic moieties of the PEO-N chains and the ß-cyclodextrin cavities of the ß-CD/EP polymers are at the origin of the polymolecular associations. Fluorescence anisotropy measurements allowed the determination of the complexation constants, and the onset of the polymolecular associations have been monitored by viscosimetry. The PEO chain length influence has been studied by using two molecular weights, 6000 and 20000.