Multi-stimuli-responsive supramolecular gel constructed by pillar[5]arene-based pseudorotaxanes for efficient detection and separation of multi-analytes in aqueous solution.

Here, a novel pseudorotaxanes-type crosslinker of a supramolecular polymer network (WP5-PN) has been constructed from a host water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5) and a guest naphthalene dimethylamine derivative (PN) via a stepwise process involving multiple non-covalent interactions. The obtained supramolecular polymers were able to transform into a supramolecular polymer gel (WP5-PN-G) and show AIE properties in DMSO-H2O binary solution. Interestingly, due to the dynamic and reversible nature of non-covalent interactions, the resultant supramolecular polymer gels exhibited external stimuli-responsiveness to different parameters, such as temperature, acid-base, competitive guest and mechanical stress.