Hierarchical composite self-sorted supramolecular gel noodles

Marshall, L. J., Wallace, M., Mahmoudi, N., Ciccone, G., Wilson, C. , Vassalli, M. and Adams, D. J. (2023) Hierarchical composite self-sorted supramolecular gel noodles. Advanced Materials, 35(17), 2211277. (doi: 10.1002/adma.202211277) (PMID:36720202)

Abstract

Multicomponent supramolecular systems can be used to achieve different properties and new behaviors compared to their corresponding single component systems. Here, we use a two-component system, showing that a non-gelling component modifies the assembly of the gelling component, allowing access to co-assembled structures that cannot be formed from the gelling component alone. We characterize the systems across multiple length scales, from the molecular level by NMR and CD spectroscopy, to the microstructure level by SANS and finally to the material level using nanoindentation and rheology. By exploiting the enhanced mechanical properties achieved through addition of the second component, we formed multicomponent noodles with superior mechanical properties to those formed by the single component system. Furthermore, the non-gelling component can be triggered to crystallize within the multicomponent noodles, allowing us to prepare new types of hierarchical composite noodles.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wilson, Dr Claire and CICCONE, Mr GIUSEPPE and Marshall, Miss Libby and Adams, Dave and Vassalli, Professor Massimo
• Authors: Marshall, L. J., Wallace, M., Mahmoudi, N., Ciccone, G., Wilson, C., Vassalli, M., and Adams, D. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Journal Name: Advanced Materials
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0935-9648
• ISSN (Online): 1521-4095
• Published Online: 31 January 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Advanced Materials 35(17): 2211277
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
305912		Spatially- and temporally-controlled photothermal Gels	Dave Adams	Leverhulme Trust (LEVERHUL)	RPG-2019-165	Chemistry