Multilayer films with nanocontainers: redox-controlled reversible encapsulation of guest molecules

Stable multilayer films with cucurbit[8]uril have been fabricated on the basis of the alternating layer-by-layer assembly of a novel side-chain pseudopolyrotaxane and a photoreactive polyanion. The as-prepared multilayer films exhibit good properties as surface-imprinted multilayers, because cucurbit[8]uril molecules that are locked inside the multilayers can act as nanocontainers with specific binding to certain guest molecules, and the loading and release of the guest is redox-controllable and reversible.