Solvent–gelator interactions—using empirical solvent parameters to better understand the self-assembly of gel-phase materials
作者:William Edwards、Cecile A. Lagadec、David K. Smith
DOI:10.1039/c0sm00843e
日期:——
By studying a family of L-lysine bis-urea gelators with variable peripheral groups in different solvents, a more detailed understanding of the way in which gelator fibres interact with the surrounding solvent environment is obtained. In all cases, these gelators establish the same hydrogen bonding molecular recognition pathwaysâhowever, this process is mediated by the nature of the solvent. In terms of KamletâTaft parameters, the α parameter of the solvent (hydrogen bond donor ability) has primary importance in controlling whether the gelator can establish a hydrogen bond network; the β parameter (hydrogen bond acceptor ability) plays a secondary role in tuning the thermal stability of the gel, and the Ï* parameter (polarisability) controls the solvation of the peripheral groups on the gelator by the solvent, and hence tunes the gel stability and the ability of the gelator to establish fibreâfibre interactions, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy imaging. Considering solvent parameters allows us to gain a unique insight into hierarchical assembly processes at different length scales, i.e., molecular scale gelatorâgelator interactions, and nanoscale fibreâfibre and fibreâsolvent interactions. These processes are at the heart of developing effective models for the dynamic assembly of gel-phase soft materials.
通过研究在不同溶剂中具有可变周边基团的L-赖氨酸双脲凝胶剂家族,我们获得了对凝胶剂纤维与周围溶剂环境相互作用方式的更详细理解。在所有情况下,这些凝胶剂都建立了相同的氢键分子识别途径——然而,这一过程受到溶剂性质的调节。根据Kamlet-Taft参数,溶剂的α参数(氢键供体能力)在控制凝胶剂是否能建立氢键网络方面具有首要重要性;β参数(氢键受体能力)在调节凝胶的热稳定性方面起次要作用,而π*参数(极化性)控制溶剂对凝胶剂周边基团的溶剂化作用,从而调节凝胶的稳定性和凝胶剂建立纤维间相互作用的能力,这通过扫描电子显微镜成像得到证实。考虑溶剂参数使我们能够独特地洞察不同长度尺度上的层次组装过程,即分子尺度的凝胶剂-凝胶剂相互作用,以及纳米尺度的纤维-纤维和纤维-溶剂相互作用。这些过程是开发动态组装凝胶相软材料有效模型的核心。