Tunable Metallogels Based on Bifunctional Ligands: Precursor Metallogels, Spinel Oxides, Dye and CO2 Adsorption

A semisolid gel material is a gift of serendipity via various chemical interactions, and metal incorporation (metallogels) imparts diverse functional properties. In this work, we have synthesized four metallogels from tetrapodal and hexapodal carboxylic acid/amide-based low-molecular-weight gelators with Ni(II) and Cu(II) salts. These metallogels can be tuned to be a low-temperature precursor of porous spinel oxides. These xerogels exhibit impressive water soluble dye and carbon dioxide adsorption, which coupled with the tunability and facile synthesis of porous spinel oxides underscores their potential in environmental remediation and energy applications.