Mears, Laura L. E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7558-9399, Draper, Emily R., Castilla, Ana Maria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5895-6190, Su, Hao, Zhuola, ., Dietrich, Bart, Nolan, Michael C., Smith, Gregory N., Doutch, James, Rogers, Sarah, Akhtar, Riaz, Cui, Honggang ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4684-2655 and Adams, Dave J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3176-1350 (2017) Drying affects the fiber network in low molecular weight hydrogels. Biomacromolecules, 18 (11). pp. 3531-3540. ISSN 1525-7797 (Print), 1526-4602 (Online) (doi:10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00823)

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Abstract

Low molecular weight gels are formed by the self-assembly of a suitable small molecule gelator into a three-dimensional network of fibrous structures. The gel properties are determined by the fiber structures, the number and type of cross-links and the distribution of the fibers and cross-links in space. Probing these structures and cross-links is difficult. Many reports rely on microscopy of dried gels (xerogels), where the solvent is removed prior to imaging. The assumption is made that this has little effect on the structures, but it is not clear that this assumption is always (or ever) valid. Here, we use small angle neutron scattering (SANS) to probe low molecular weight hydrogels formed by the self-assembly of dipeptides. We compare scattering data for wet and dried gels, as well as following the drying process. We show that the assumption that drying does not affect the network is not always correct.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	supramolecular gels; neutron scattering
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) T Technology > T Technology (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > School of Science (SCI)
Last Modified:	22 Jan 2024 15:17
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/45406

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