SANS study on pulley effect of slide-ring gel

Abstract

We have recently developed a novel kind of gel “slide-ring (SR) gel”, based on polyrotaxane consisting of thread-like molecules of poly(ethylene glycol) and rings of α -cyclodextrin (CD) molecules. The SR gel has mobile cross-links. In order to improve the unique properties, i.e., “sliding motion” or “pulley effect” of the SR gels and to suppress the self-aggregation tendency of CD molecules, methylated polyrotaxane was synthesized by substituting hydroxyl group with methyl group on CD molecules. The structure of SR gel having methylated CD molecules was investigated by small angle neutron scattering.