Cardoso, Andre Zamith, Mears, Laura L. E., Cattoz, Beatrice N., Griffiths, Peter C. ORCID: 0000-0002-6686-1271, Schweins, Ralf and Adams, Dave J. (2016) Linking micellar structures to hydrogelation for salt-triggered dipeptide gelators. Soft Matter, 12 (15). pp. 3612-3621. ISSN 1744-683X (Print), 1744-6848 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SM03072B)

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Abstract

Some functionalised dipeptides can form hydrogels when salts are added to solutions at high pH. We have used surface tension, conductivity, rheology, optical, confocal and scanning electron microscopy, 1H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy measurements to characterise fully the phase behaviour of solutions of one specific gelator, 2NapFF, at 25 °C at pH 10.5. We show that this specific naphthalene–dipeptide undergoes structural transformations as the concentration is increased, initially forming spherical micelles, then worm-like micelles, followed by association of these worm-like micelles. On addition of a calcium salt, gels are generally formed as long as worm-like micelles are initially present in solution, although there are structural re-organisations that occur at lower concentrations, allowing gelation at lower than expected concentration. Using IR and SANS, we show the differences between the structures present in the solution and hydrogel phases.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Hydrogels; Scattering; Dipeptides
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > School of Science (SCI)
Last Modified:	08 Apr 2020 17:26
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/15710

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