Surfactant hydrogels for the dispersion of carbon-nanotube-based catalysts

Novel hydrogel phases based on positively charged and zwitterionic surfactants, namely, N-[p-(n-dodecyloxybenzyl)]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (pDOTABr) and p-dodecyloxybenzyldimethylamine oxide (pDOAO), which combine pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs), were obtained, thus leading to stable dispersions and enhanced cross-linked networks. The composite hydrogel featuring a well-defined nanostructured morphology and an overall positively charged surface was shown to efficiently immobilise a polyanionic and redox-active tetraruthenium-substituted polyoxometalate (Ru4POM) by complementary charge interactions. The resulting hybrid gel has been characterised by electron microscopy techniques, whereas the electrostatic-directed assembly has been monitored by means of fluorescence spectroscopy and ζ-potential tests. This protocol offers a straightforward supramolecular strategy for the design of novel aqueous-based electrocatalytic soft materials, thereby improving the processability of CNTs while tuning their interfacial decoration with multiple catalytic domains. Electrochemical evidence confirms that the activity of the catalyst is preserved within the gel media.