CO2/N2 and redox dual-responsive organogels based on ferrocenemethanol and octadecylamine

Abstract

Herein, we report a CO2/N2 and redox dual-responsive organogel using low molecular mass gelators (LMWGs) of octadecylamine (NC18) and ferrocenemethanol (FcOH). The organogels of NC18-FcOH in cyclohexane have a layered stacking structure and the critical gelling concentration (CGC) is 55 mmol/L. The organogel can be reversibly switched between gel and solution states by CO2 trigger, resulting from the reversible protonation of NC18. Moreover, the organogel can be destroyed by a redox reaction after adding Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6, originating from the oxidization of the ferrocene group in FcOH. Compared with other redox-responsive gelators, complex organic synthesis could be avoided since FcOH is a commercially available compound. The dual responsiveness of the organogel allows for the smart control of the “sol-gel” transition, which has potential applications in functional materials and sensors.