Mixed Conductive, Injectable, and Fluorescent Supramolecular Eutectogel Composites.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Soft Matter

Background:

• Eutectogels are emerging soft ionic materials offering alternatives to traditional gels.
• There is a need for functional dynamic platforms in water-free environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first example of mixed ionic and electronic conducting supramolecular eutectogel composites.
• To explore the potential of these materials for advanced applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a fluorescent glutamic acid-derived low-molecular-weight gelator (LMWG).
• Self-assembly of LMWG into nanofibrillar networks within deep eutectic solvents (DES)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT): chondroitin sulfate dispersions.
• Characterization of material properties including conductivity, injectability, self-healing, and biocompatibility.

Main Results:

• Successful creation of mixed ionic and electronic conducting supramolecular eutectogels.
• Demonstrated excellent injectability and self-healing properties.
• Achieved high ionic conductivity (up to 10⁻² S/cm) and good biocompatibility.
• Exhibited fluorescence imaging ability.

Conclusions:

• The developed mixed conducting supramolecular eutectogels are promising adaptive materials.
• These materials are suitable for bioimaging and electrostimulation applications.
• Eutectogels offer a novel platform for designing functional dynamic materials in water-free systems.