Mechanical Polymeric Materials Based on Cyclodextrins as Artificial Muscles

In this chapter, the design and synthesis of polymeric materials based on cyclodextrins (CDs) as artificial muscles are described. We mainly focus on main-chain and side-chain recognition of CD in forming supramolecular polymer networks exhibiting stimuli-responsive movement on a macroscopic scale. In particular, applying external stimuli to supramolecular materials with spatiotemporal control can lead to macroscopic movement of materials. Stimuli-responsive guest molecules such as azobenzene, stilbene, and ferrocene can be used to design materials having movable or transportable molecular systems through molecular recognition.