Chemically Tunable Supramolecular Gels
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Gels are fascinating modern materials that arise from the trapping of liquids or even gases by a fibrous network. This network is usually made up of polymers but recent research has shown that much more versatile gels can arise from molecular systems that form extended strands vis interactions such as hydrogen bonding. We are proposing to make a system of gels that is more versatile still through the use of both hydrogen bonding interactions, interactions to metal ions and interactions to anions. Because our new gels are composite materials and the interactions between the components are relatively weak we can readily change the composition of the gel by changing metal or anion. The result should impact on the the gel's abilty to flow. We have a good understanding of the way our small gelling molecules interact with metals and anions and so are in a good position to understand the structure of the gel fibres and will apply a range of modern methods to the problem. This will allow designer gels with applications in gel-phase polymerisation or other catalytic processes and nanoparticle synthesis. It may also result in unfoseen technological applications of materials with chemically triggered flow characteristics.
Organisations
Publications
Foster J
(2014)
Using gel morphology to control pore shape
in New J. Chem.
Foster JA
(2014)
Blending gelators to tune gel structure and probe anion-induced disassembly.
in Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Foster JA
(2010)
Anion-switchable supramolecular gels for controlling pharmaceutical crystal growth.
in Nature chemistry
Lloyd G
(2012)
Anion tuning of chiral bis(urea) low molecular weight gels
in Soft Matter
Piepenbrock M
(2010)
Shear induced gelation in a copper(ii) metallogel: new aspects of ion-tunable rheology and gel-reformation by external chemical stimuli
in Soft Matter
Piepenbrock M
(2011)
Rheology and silver nanoparticle templating in a bis(urea) silver metallogel
in Soft Matter
Piepenbrock MO
(2008)
Gelation is crucially dependent on functional group orientation and may be tuned by anion binding.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Piepenbrock MO
(2009)
Metal ion and anion-based "tuning" of a supramolecular metallogel.
in Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
Piepenbrock MO
(2011)
Anion tuning and polymer templating in a simple low molecular weight organogelator.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Description | This project resulted in versatile, tuneable supramolecular gels that are being explored in the context of pharmaceutical crystallization. |
Exploitation Route | Pharmaceutical solid form studies |
Sectors | Chemicals Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Development of a crystallization control technology. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Chemicals,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | AstraZeneca CASE Studentship |
Amount | £34,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | AstraZeneca |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | Marie Curie IIF |
Amount | £220,882 (GBP) |
Funding ID | FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF 326487 |
Organisation | European Union |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2012 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | Responsive Mode |
Amount | £688,937 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/J013021/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2012 |
End | 01/2016 |