Studies on the orthogonal assembly of β-cyclodextrin-poly (ε-caprolactone) and ferrocene-poly (ethylene oxide)

► β-cyclodextrin-PCL (CD-PCL) with a hollow cavity and hydrophobic tails was obtained. ► CD-PCL orthogonally constructed into a new supramolecular copolymer with FcPEG. ► CD-PCL/FcPEG self-assembled into nanospheres, while CD-PCL formed into vesicles. ► A new route to form different nano structures with biodegradability was developed.