Using aggregation-induced emission to understand dipeptide gels

Castilla, A. M., Dietrich, B. and Adams, D. J. (2018) Using aggregation-induced emission to understand dipeptide gels. Gels, 4(1), 17. (doi: 10.3390/gels4010017)

Abstract

We describe the formation of structured liquids and gels from a functionalised dipeptide based on tetraphenylethylene. Tetraphenylethylene is well-known to be able to undergo aggregation-induced emission. We use the emission data to understand the behaviour of the dipeptide in water under a variety of conditions. The dipeptide forms viscous solutions at high pH. Gels can be formed by a pH-trigger, but syneresis occurs. Addition of a calcium salt also leads to a gel with slight syneresis. Addition of sodium chloride leads to a self-supporting material, but this is not a true gel from the rheological perspective. From the emission data, we infer that there are limited structural changes on addition of sodium chloride or acid, but there are significant changes in molecular packing when the gel is formed by addition of a calcium salt.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dietrich, Bart and Adams, Dave
• Authors: Castilla, A. M., Dietrich, B., and Adams, D. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Gels
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2310-2861
• ISSN (Online): 2310-2861

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
76804	1	Multicomponent Supramolecular Hydrogels	Dave Adams	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/L021978/2	SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY