Abstract
Hybrid hydrogels combining both a low molecular weight gelator (LMWG, 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene-D-sorbitol–p,p′-dicarboxylic acid) and a polymer gelator (PG, agarose) are reported. The dynamic assembly of the LMWG is explored in the absence and presence of the PG using NMR and CD methods. It is shown that the LMWG still assembles into chiral nanofibres in the presence of a nanoscale PG network, although the kinetics of assembly are somewhat modified. As such, these hybrid materials can be considered as self-sorting multi-gelator gels. Importantly, the LMWG retains its pH-responsive character and can be assembled and disassembled within the PG network, which acts to retain the overall integrity of the gel. As such, these materials demonstrate how the responsive nature of an LMWG can be combined with the greater resilience of a PG network to yield novel materials with hybrid performance.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
