Real-time observation of fiber network formation in molecular organogel: supersaturation-dependent microstructure and its related rheological property

Search Swinburne Research Bank

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/81738

Check Swinburne's subscriptions for full text availability

Title: Real-time observation of fiber network formation in molecular organogel: supersaturation-dependent microstructure and its related rheological property
Author(s): Wang, Rongyao; Liu, Xiang-Yang; Xiong, Junying; Li, Jingliang
Abstract: Low-molecular mass organic gelators self-organizing into three-dimensional fiber networks within organic solvents have attracted much attention in recent years. However, to date, how the microstructure of fiber network is formed in a gelation process and the key factors that govern the topological structure of a gel network remain to be determined. In this work, we address these issues by investigating the in situ formation of the gel networks in the N-lauroyl-L-glutamic acid di-n-butylamide (GP-1)/propylene glycol (PG) system. By using optical microscopy, the time evolution of the gel network microstructure was investigated under various supersaturation conditions. It is found that supersaturation is one of the key factors that govern the topological structure of a gel network. In particular, the creation of the junctions turns out to be supersaturation-dependent. The rheological experiments further revealed the correlation between topological structure and mechanical properties. It suggests that the rheological properties can be effectively modified by tuning the microstructure topology of the gel network. Our results reported here provide new physical insight into the formation kinetics of a molecular gel. Furthermore, this work could be important in constructing and engineering a supramolecular structure for the purpose of applications.
Publication type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol. 110, no. 14 (Apr 2006), pp. 7275-7280
Publication year: 2006
FOR Code(s): 0306 Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural); 0904 Chemical Engineering
Keyword(s): Amino acids; Fibers; Microstructure; Molecular dynamics; Molecular gels; Molecular masses; N-lauroyl-L-glutamic acid di-n-butylamide; Optical microscopy; Organic solvents; Rheological properties
Publisher: American Chemical Society
ISSN: 1520-6106
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp054531r
Peer reviewed