Aqueous interfacial gels assembled from small molecule supramolecular polymers.
Published version
Peer-reviewed
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Type
Article
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Authors
Groombridge, Alexander S
Palma, Aniello
Parker, Richard M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4096-9161
Abell, Chris
Scherman, Oren A
Abstract
The self-assembly of a stimuli-responsive aqueous supramolecular hyperbranched polymer from small molecules is reported. This system is composed of ditopic and tritopic guest-functionalised molecules that are able to form heteroternary supramolecular complexes with the macrocyclic host cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). We demonstrate that the supramolecular hyperbranched polymer formed is responsive to both photo- and chemical stimuli, exhibiting reversibility. Furthermore, this system is shown to assemble at liquid-liquid interfaces, which upon gelation, is observable on the micrometre scale. This self-healing supramolecular network can act as a soft matter barrier for aqueous microdroplets, inhibiting their coalescence.
Description
Keywords
0303 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry, 0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
Journal Title
Chem Sci
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
2041-6520
2041-6539
2041-6539
Volume Title
8
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
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Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/G037221/1)
European Research Council (240629)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L027151/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/H007024/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K039520/1)
European Research Council (240629)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L027151/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/H007024/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K039520/1)
A. S. G. acknowledges support from the EPSRC Cambridge NanoDTC, EP/G037221/1, A. P. and O. A. S. acknowledge support from the ERC starting investigator grant (ASPiRe 240629) and EPSRC Programme Grant (NOtCH, EP/L027151/1).