Chemically programmed self-sorting of gelator networks

Morris, Kyle L., Chen, Lin, Raeburn, Jaclyn, Sellick, Owen Rhys, Cotanda, Pepa, Paul, Alison ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7653-9964, Griffiths, Peter C., 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. 10.1038/ncomms2499

Full text not available from this repository.

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
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Chemistry
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:	2041-1723
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2022 10:42
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/45497

Citation Data

Cited 205 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item