Unique organogel formation with macroporous materials constructed by the freeze-drying of aqueous cyclodextrin solutions.

Macroporous cyclodextrin materials (MP-alpha-, beta-, and gamma-CDs) were easily fabricated by the freeze-drying of aqueous solutions of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-CDs. These MP-CDs showed the absorption ability toward various organic solvents and oils to give organogels at ambient temperature. The morphological changes of the MP-CD microstructures were observed through the absorption of organic solvents. In particular, the absorption of polar organic solvents with hydrogen-bond forming ability, including 1,4-dioxane and ethanol, by the MP-CDs caused remarkable morphological changes in the microstructures. The absorption of these polar solvents by MP-alpha- and gamma-CDs resulted in the formation of channel-type assemblies of alpha- and gamma-CDs, respectively.

Unique organogel formation with a channel-type cyclodextrin assembly.

A channel-type assembly of gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD(channel)) forms organogels in a variety of oils and organic solvents at ambient temperature through the construction of a three-dimensional network of micrometer-sized cubic particles composed of gamma-CD(channel).