Dossi, EleftheriaBolton, MorganKister, GuillaumeAfsar, Ashfaq2021-09-232021-09-232021-08-16Dossi E, Bolton M, Kister G, Afsar A. (2021) Cross-linking of γ-cyclodextrin using non-toxic polyethylene glycol spacer units. ChemistrySelect, Volume 6, Issue 3, August 2021, pp. 7727-77312365-6549https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202101963http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/17096The crystalline cyclic oligosaccharide γ-cyclodextrin (γCD) is a natural, non-toxic and biodegradable precursor that can be used to prepare innovative polymers. We cross-linked γCD with variable quantities of non-toxic polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) in aqueous NaOH to form 3D structures with tunable physicochemical properties. Mixtures with a 5:1 PEGDGE:γCD molar ratio produced a cross-linked material that was soluble in water and organic solvents, underwent glass transition at –23 °C. The properties of this material were further modified by additional curing with PEGDGE or nitration reaction. Curing produced an insoluble polymeric material with excellent swelling abilities (200% in water) and decreased glass transition temperature to –37 °C. The nitrated cross-linked γCD was soluble in common organic solvents and underwent glass transition at +19 °C, achieving thermal stability below 190 °C. These novel γCD polymers are promising materials for applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries and environmental remediation.enAttribution-NonCommercial 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/swellingglass transitionnon-toxic cross-linkerwater solublecross-linked γ-cyclodextrinArticle