Supramolecular hydrogels based on cyclodextrin–polymer polypseudorotaxanes: materials design and hydrogel properties

Abstract

Supramolecular hydrogels formed by cyclodextrins (CDs) and polymers based on polypseudorotaxane formation have attracted great interest because of their potential applications as injectable hydrogel drug delivery systems due to their thixotropic nature and biocompatibility. Recent advancements in this area have led to improvements in the hydrogel rheological and drug delivery properties, marking a step forward towards practical applications. The development of novel CD–polypseudorotaxane hydrogels with new stimuli-responsive properties is another important progress in this area. These new developments are highlighted here from the perspective of materials design and hydrogel properties together with a state-of-the-art understanding on CD–polypseudorotaxane hydrogel formation.