Differential encapsulation of trans-2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl] benzothiazole in cyclodextrin hosts: Application towards nanotubular suprastructure formation

The guest size dependent extent of encapsulation by cyclodextrins (CDs) of different sizes (viz., α-, β-, and γ-) has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and fluorescence spectroscopy. Electrochemical and chemical oxidation methods have been used to understand the extent to which trans-2-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]benzothiazole (DMASBT) gets encapsulated in the cyclodextrin cavities. The guest molecule can induce the formation of nanocapsules with cyclodextrin hosts due to hydrophobic interaction leading to the formation of nanotubes followed by suprastructures. The electrochemically obtained results were confirmed using chemical method. The differential encapsulation of DMASBT in the CDs may define the architecture of the nanotubes.