A new method for maintaining homogeneity during liquid–hydrogel transitions using low molecular weight hydrogelators
- 10 March 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in Soft Matter
- Vol. 5 (9), 1856-1862
- https://doi.org/10.1039/b901556f
Abstract
We demonstrate a generic new approach to produce homogeneous and reproducible hydrogels from low molecular weight hydrogelators using the controlled hydrolysis of glucono-δ-lactone (GdL). GdL slowly hydrolyses in water to give gluconic acid, which controllably lowers the pH. This hydrolysis is slower than the rate of dissolution; hence uniform pH change throughout the sample is possible. This results in homogeneous hydrogels that are unaffected by their shear or mixing history. A further advantage of this method is that it allows the gelation process to be monitored, giving further insight into the mechanism by which gelation occurs.Keywords
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