Morris, Kyle L., Chen, Lin, Raeburn, Jaclyn, Sellick, Owen R., Cotanda, Pepa, Paul, Alison, Griffiths, Peter C. ORCID: 0000-0002-6686-1271 , King, Stephen M., O'Reilly, Rachel K., Serpell, Louise C. and Adams, Dave J. (2013) Chemically programmed self-sorting of gelator networks. Nature Communications, 4:1480. ISSN 2041-1723 (doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2499)

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Abstract

Controlling the order and spatial distribution of self-assembly in multicomponent supramolecular systems could underpin exciting new functional materials, but it is extremely challenging. When a solution of different components self-assembles, the molecules can either coassemble, or self-sort, where a preference for like-like intermolecular interactions results in coexisting, homomolecular assemblies. A challenge is to produce generic and controlled ‘one-pot’ fabrication methods to form separate ordered assemblies from ‘cocktails’ of two or more self-assembling species, which might have relatively similar molecular structures and chemistry. Self-sorting in supramolecular gel phases is hence rare. Here we report the first example of the pH-controlled self-sorting of gelators to form self-assembled networks in water. Uniquely, the order of assembly can be predefined. The assembly of each component is preprogrammed by the pKa of the gelator. This pH-programming method will enable higher level, complex structures to be formed that cannot be accessed by simple thermal gelation.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Nature Communications is an open access journal.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	chemical sciences, materials science, organic chemistry
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Pre-2014 Departments:	School of Science
Related URLs:	Publisher Publisher Organisation
Last Modified:	20 Sep 2019 12:36
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/9973

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