Formation and Novel Thermomechanical Processing of Biocompatible Soft Materials

Abstract

We demonstrated for the first time the thermo-mechanical processing of the organogels of dibutyllauroyl glutamide as a small molecule gelling agent (SMGA) in a biocompatible solvent, isostearyl alcohol. The study focused on the impact of novel thermomechanical processing parameters such as temperature, strain, and the cooling rate on the microstructure and macroscopic properties of gels. The properties of the gels were analyzed by dynamic light scattering and by rheological and electron microscopy methods. The modification of the thermoreversibility and viscoelastic properties of the gels can be associated with the changes in the micro-/nanofiber network structures. The micro-/nanofiber network structures are stable over a wide range of frequencies. Two temperature domains associated with distinct gelation behaviors and rheological properties were identified for the first time in the gelation of organic solvents using SMGA. The transition from one temperature domain to the next can be linked to the changes in the micro-/nanostructure.