Evidence by neutron diffraction of molecular compounds in triarylamine tris-amide organogels and in their hybrid thermoreversible gels with PVC.

Abstract

We report on neutron diffraction experiments performed on organogels prepared from triarylamine tris-amide (TATA), as well as on their ternary thermoreversible gels made up with poly[vinyl chloride] (PVC). Three different solvents together with their deuterated counterparts have been used; tetrachloroethane, wherein TATA fibrils display ohmic conductivity, bromobenzene and o-dichlorobenzene. The TATA crystal structure differs in the three solvents. Most importantly, the difference in the diffraction patterns whether hydrogenous solvents or deuterated solvents are used demonstrate the occurrence of molecular compounds. Tentative unit cells are presented. These results are also discussed in the light of the current views on the solvent role in the gelation process.