Surface-controlled spatially heterogeneous physical properties of a supramolecular gel with homogeneous chemical composition

Yang, B. et al. (2021) Surface-controlled spatially heterogeneous physical properties of a supramolecular gel with homogeneous chemical composition. Chemical Science, 12(42), pp. 14260-14269. (doi: 10.1039/D1SC04671C)

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Abstract

Controlling supramolecular self-assembly across multiple length scales to prepare gels with localised properties is challenging. Most strategies concentrate on fabricating gels with heterogeneous components, where localised properties are generated by the stimuli-responsive component. Here, as an alternative approach, we use a spiropyran-modified surface that can be patterned with light. We show that light-induced differences in surface chemistry can direct the bulk assembly of a low molecular weight gelator, 2-NapAV, meaning that mechanical gel properties can be controlled by the surface on which the gel is grown. Using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering, we demonstrate that the origin of the different gel properties relates to differences in the architectures of the gels. This provides a new method to prepare a single domain (i.e., chemically homogeneous) hydrogel with locally controlled (i.e., mechanically heterogeneous) properties.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Adams, Dave and Vassalli, Professor Massimo and CICCONE, Mr GIUSEPPE
Authors: Yang, B., Lledos, M., Akhtar, R., Ciccone, G., Jiang, L., Russo, E., Rajput, S., Jin, C., Angelerou, M. G. F., Arnold, T., Rawle, J., Vassalli, M., Marlow, M., Adams, D. J., and Zelzer, M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
Journal Name:Chemical Science
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:2041-6520
ISSN (Online):2041-6539
Published Online:11 October 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Chemical Science 12(42): 14260-14269
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

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