Abstract: The host-guest self-assembly process between β-cyclodextrin modified chitosan (the host polymer) and methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) adamantane carboxylate (the guest polymer) was studied by quartz crystal microbalance, which further prepared brush polymer. Quartz crystal surface, which was coated, was placed in the sample cell for testing. After the baseline was balanced, solution was passed into the sample cell. At the same time, the change in ΔF and ΔD as a function of time was recorded. Results indicated that ΔF decreased and ΔD increased significantly in the initial stage, and they both changed slowly and gradually reached equilibrium. When deionized water was passed into the sample cell, ΔF increased and ΔD decreased slightly until balance was reached. This information demonstrated the host-guest self-assembly between β-cyclodextrin and adamantane and this process showed two dynamic procedures coupled with chain conformational changes of polymer. This work may provide a new method for the research of the host-guest self-assembly process on solid/liquid interface.

Key words: host-guest self-assembly, quartz crystal microbalance, solid/liquid interface, conformational change, brush polymer