Dynamic reversible hydrogel-bearing cucurbit[6]uril units: Unique recognition of copper ions

Cucurbit[6]uril-based monomer (CB[6]MA), hydrazide-based monomer (MH), and acrylamide (AM) were used to prepare copolymers (PAM-CB[6]MA-MH) by radical copolymerization. PAM-CB[6]MA-MH was complexed with 1-aminopyrene through non-covalent interactions, which resulted in thePAM-CB[6]MA-MH•1-Aminopyrene macromolecular complex. As a result, novel copolymeric systems with novel properties were obtained. In the presence of a glacial acetic acid catalyst (pH = 5) or under neutral pH conditions, PAM-CB[6]MA-MH was mixed with glyoxal solution to obtain self-repairing hydrogels. The hydrogels thus obtained showed pH reversible responsiveness. In addition, the PAM-CB[6]MA-MH•1-Aminopyrene macromolecular complex could effectively detect Cu2+ ions in aqueous solution, which expands the application scope of 1-aminopyrene in aqueous solution. The PAM-CB[6]MA-MH•1-Aminopyrene macromolecular hydrogel's efficient detection of Cu2+ ions makes it an effective portable platform with potential for the visual detection of Cu2+ ions.