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pH tunable hydrogelators for water purification: structural optimisation and evaluation.

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 12:51 authored by Daniel M Wood, Barnaby GreenlandBarnaby Greenland, Aaron L Acton, Francisco Rodríguez-Llansola,, Claire A Murray, Christine J Cardin, Juan F Miravet, Beatriu Escuder, Ian W Hamley, Wayne Hayes
A focused library of poten- tial hydrogelators each containing two substituted aromatic residues separated by a urea or thiourea linkage have been synthesised and characterized. Six of these novel compounds are highly efficient hydrogelators, forming gels in aqueous solution at low concentrations (0.03–0.60 wt %). Gels were formed through a pH switching methodology, by acidification of a basic solution (pH 14 to 4) either by addition of HCl or via the slow hydrolysis of glucono-d-lactone. Frequently, gelation was accompanied by a dramatic switch in the absorption spectra of the gelators, resulting in a significant change in colour, typically from a vibrant orange to pale yellow. Each of the gels was ca- pable of sequestering significant quan- tities of the aromatic cationic dye, methylene blue, from aqueous solution (upto1.02gofdyepergramofdryge- lator). Cryo-transmission electron mi- croscopy of two of the gels revealed an extensive network of high aspect ratio fibers. The structure of the fibers al- tered dramatically upon addition of 20 wt % of the dye, resulting in aggre- gation and significant shortening of the fibrils. This study demonstrates the fea- sibility for these novel gels finding ap- plication as inexpensive and effective water purification platforms.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Chemistry - A European Journal

ISSN

0947-6539

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Volume

18

Page range

2692-2699

Department affiliated with

  • Chemistry Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-04-12

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-04-12

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