Hill, M. J.S., Fuentes-Caparrós, A. M. and Adams, D. J. (2023) Effect of imposing spatial constraints on low molecular weight gels. Biomacromolecules, 24(9), pp. 4253-4262. (doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00559) (PMID:37595056) (PMCID:PMC10498449)
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Abstract
We outline the effect of imposing spatial constraints during gelation on hydrogels formed by dipeptide-based low molecular weight gelators. The gels were formed via either a solvent switch or a change in pH and formed in different sized vessels to produce gels of different thickness while maintaining the same volume. The different methods of gelation led to gels with different underlying microstructure. Confocal microscopy was used to visualize the resulting microstructures, while the corresponding mechanical properties were probed via cavitation rheology. We show that solvent-switch-triggered gels are sensitive to imposed spatial constraints, in both altered microstructure and mechanical properties, while their pH-triggered equivalents are not. These results are significant because it is often necessary to form gels of different thicknesses for different analytical techniques. Also, gels of different thicknesses are utilized between various applications of these materials. Our data show that it is important to consider the spatial constraints imposed in these situations.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | M.J.S.H. thanks the EPSRC for funding (EP/RS13222/1 and EP/T517896/1). A.M.F.-C. thanks the University of Glasgow for funding. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Hill, Mr Max and Fuentes Caparros, Miss Ana Maria and Adams, Dave |
| Authors: | Hill, M. J.S., Fuentes-Caparrós, A. M., and Adams, D. J. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry |
| Journal Name: | Biomacromolecules |
| Publisher: | American Chemical Society |
| ISSN: | 1525-7797 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1526-4602 |
| Published Online: | 18 August 2023 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2022 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Biomacromolecules 24(9):4253–4262 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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