Crosslinker-Induced Effects on the Gelation Pathway of a Low Molecular Weight Hydrogel
Willem E M Noteborn1, Damy N H Zwagerman1, Victorio Saez Talens1
1Department of Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300, RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|January 25, 2017
Abstract:
The use of polymeric crosslinkers is an attractive method to modify the mechanical properties of supramolecular materials, but their effects on the self-assembly of the underlying supramolecular polymer networks are poorly understood. Modulation of the gelation pathway of a reaction-coupled low molecular weight hydrogelator is demonstrated using (bio)polymeric crosslinkers of disparate physicochemical identities, providing a handle for control over materials properties.
