pH- and temperature-responsive supramolecular assemblies with highly adjustable viscoelasticity: a multi-stimuli
Yu-Ting Lin1, Shuhao Liu1, Bhargavi Bhat1
1Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. makbulut@tamu.edu.
Soft Matter
|July 14, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel pH- and temperature-responsive material with tunable viscosity. This stimuli-responsive system offers significant control over fluid properties for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Rheology
Background:
- Stimuli-responsive materials are crucial for developing adaptable electronic, mechanical, and biological systems.
- Controlling material properties like viscosity and viscoelasticity is essential for smart device functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel pH- and temperature-responsive binary supramolecular assembly.
- To investigate the tunable viscous and viscoelastic properties of this assembly.
- To understand the underlying mechanisms of property control.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a binary supramolecular assembly of a long-chain hydroxyamino amide (HAA) and boric acid.
- Investigated rheological properties (viscosity, viscoelasticity) under varying pH and temperature conditions.
- Employed cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) to study morphological transformations.
Main Results:
- Achieved over four orders of magnitude of viscosity control by manipulating pH and temperature.
- Demonstrated the ability to switch fluid behavior from non-Maxwellian to Maxwellian.
- Observed morphological transformations (spherical vesicles, aggregated vesicles, gyroid structures) correlated with rheological changes.
Conclusions:
- The binary supramolecular assembly exhibits significant pH- and temperature-responsiveness.
- Rheological properties are switchable due to pH-induced modulation of HAA head group spacing and boric acid intercalation.
- This system offers a high degree of control for stimuli-responsive material applications.
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