3D-Printing Multi-Component Multi-Domain Supramolecular Gels with Differential Conductivity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) offer tunable properties for advanced materials.
• 3D printing enables precise fabrication of complex structures.
• Conductive soft materials are crucial for emerging electronic and biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop 3D-printable conductive gels using LMWGs.
• To investigate the role of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in gel conductivity.
• To fabricate multi-domain soft materials with differential conductivity.

Main Methods:

• Wet-spinning 3D printing of gels based on 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidenesorbitol (DBS) scaffolds.
• Incorporation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into DBS-CONHNH2 gels.
• Assessment of electrical conductivity in printed gel stripes and multi-domain patterns.

Main Results:

• Successfully 3D-printed gel stripes using DBS-CONHNH2 and DBS-COOH.
• DBS-CONHNH2 gels loaded with Au(III) formed embedded AuNPs, significantly increasing conductivity.
• DBS-COOH gels exhibited lower conductivity due to the absence of AuNP formation.
• Fabricated multi-domain soft materials with distinct conductive regions.

Conclusions:

• Wet-spinning of LMWGs is a viable method for fabricating conductive 3D-printed gels.
• AuNP incorporation enhances the conductivity of DBS-based gels.
• The developed materials hold promise for soft nanoelectronics and tissue engineering applications.