STRUCTURE FORMATION OF THE ALPHA-CYCLODEXTRIN-POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE)-WATER SYSTEM

The process of phase separation in the alpha-cyclodextrin-poly(ethylen e oxide)-water system may lead to either gel formation or precipitatio n, depending on the conditions of formation and crystallization of an alpha-cyclodextrin-based inclusion complex. The domains of existence o f various phase states were determined by the method of turbidity poin ts and a diagram of structure formation in the system was constructed. Both the gel and the precipitates, formed by molecular necklaces of t he alpha-cyclodextrin-PEO type, have the same crystal structure but di fferent morphologies related to the kinetic features of the complex fo rmation and crystallization processes.