Issue 12, 2021

Cu2+-triggered shrinkage of a natural betulin-derived supramolecular gel to fabricate moldable self-supporting gel

Abstract

Most supramolecular gels have a poor ability to be molded into well-defined shapes, preventing them from having the same potential as clay-based and polymeric gels in applications. In this research, a natural betulin-derived bola-type amphiphile Py-BL was synthesized and found to assemble into a supramolecular gel with left-handed helices driven by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Due to the pyridine groups, which were able to coordinate metal ions and were sensitive to acidity, the resulting Py-BL gel exhibited responses to certain metal ions, and Cu2+-selective gel shrinkage was observed, with a contraction of the gel phase in three dimensions. The coordination between Cu2+ and pyridine groups in the ratio of 1 : 4 led to a cross-linked network of nanofibers and decreased the hydrophilic performance of the Py-BL gel, consequently causing the gelling solvent to extrude from the gel network with a macroscopic gel shrinkage. This Cu2+-triggered shrunken gel exhibited an improved rheological strength and could self-demold spontaneously through the shrinkage process with a precise amount of Cu2+. Using this strategy, we fabricated moldable self-supporting supramolecular gels with designed shapes and electrical conductivity. It is believed that the Cu2+-triggered shrinkage provides a novel approach to the fabrication of moldable self-supporting supramolecular gels at ultralow gelator loadings.

Graphical abstract: Cu2+-triggered shrinkage of a natural betulin-derived supramolecular gel to fabricate moldable self-supporting gel

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
26 Feb 2021
Accepted
21 Apr 2021
First published
22 Apr 2021

Mater. Chem. Front., 2021,5, 4764-4771

Cu2+-triggered shrinkage of a natural betulin-derived supramolecular gel to fabricate moldable self-supporting gel

J. Liu, F. Yin, J. Hu and Y. Ju, Mater. Chem. Front., 2021, 5, 4764 DOI: 10.1039/D1QM00322D

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