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Creating Transient Gradients in Supramolecular Hydrogels
Author(s) -
Thomson Lisa,
Schweins Ralf,
Draper Emily R.,
Adams Dave J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.202000093
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , rheology , homogeneous , materials science , transient (computer programming) , stiffness , cavitation , supramolecular chemistry , chemical engineering , neutron scattering , swelling , polymer chemistry , small angle neutron scattering , scattering , composite material , chemistry , optics , molecule , thermodynamics , organic chemistry , physics , computer science , engineering , operating system
The self‐assembly of low molecular weight gelators in water usually produces homogeneous hydrogels. However, homogeneous gels are not always desired. Using a photoacid generator, it is shown how to form gels with a transient gradient in stiffness, proved using cavitation and bulk rheology. Small‐angle neutron scattering is used to show that the gels formed by photoacid are the result of the same structures as when using a conventional pH trigger. Patterned gels can also be formed, again with transient differences in stiffness.