Hypothesis Multi-component supramolecular hydrogels are gaining increasing interest as stimuli-responsive materials. To fully understand and possibly exploit the potential of such complex systems, the hierarchical structure of the gel network needs in-depth investigations across multiple length scales. We show that a thorough structural and rheological study represents a crucial pillar for the exploitation of this class of functional materials. Experiments Supramolecular hydrogels are prepared by self-assembly of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and azobenzene-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (AZO) in alkaline aqueous solution. The CTAB/AZO concentration was varied from ϕ = 0.25 to 4 wt% keeping the CTAB:AZO molar ratio fixed at 2:1. The systems were thoroughly studied through a combination of X-ray scattering, microscopy, rheological and spectroscopic analyses. Findings The CTAB/AZO solutions form a self-supporting gel with nanofibrillar structure below ~30 °C. The critical gelation concentration is ϕc = 0.45 wt%. Above this threshold, the gel elasticity and strength increase with CTAB/AZO content as ~(ϕ-ϕc)1. The hydrogels exhibit self-healing ability when left at rest after a stress-induced damage. Moreover, the light-induced isomerization of the AZO moieties provides the gel with light-responsiveness. Overall, the multi-stimuli responsiveness of the studied CTAB/AZO hydrogels makes them a solid starting point for the development of sensors for mechanical vibrations and UV/visible light exposure.

Light-responsive and self-healing behavior of azobenzene-based supramolecular hydrogels / SALZANO DE LUNA, Martina; Marturano, Valentina; Manganelli, Marina; Santillo, Chiara; Ambrogi, Veronica; Filippone, Giovanni; Cerruti, Pierfrancesco. - In: JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE. - ISSN 0021-9797. - 568:(2020), pp. 16-24. [10.1016/j.jcis.2020.02.038]

Light-responsive and self-healing behavior of azobenzene-based supramolecular hydrogels

Martina Salzano de Luna;Valentina Marturano;Chiara Santillo;Veronica Ambrogi;Giovanni Filippone;Pierfrancesco Cerruti
2020

Abstract

Hypothesis Multi-component supramolecular hydrogels are gaining increasing interest as stimuli-responsive materials. To fully understand and possibly exploit the potential of such complex systems, the hierarchical structure of the gel network needs in-depth investigations across multiple length scales. We show that a thorough structural and rheological study represents a crucial pillar for the exploitation of this class of functional materials. Experiments Supramolecular hydrogels are prepared by self-assembly of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and azobenzene-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (AZO) in alkaline aqueous solution. The CTAB/AZO concentration was varied from ϕ = 0.25 to 4 wt% keeping the CTAB:AZO molar ratio fixed at 2:1. The systems were thoroughly studied through a combination of X-ray scattering, microscopy, rheological and spectroscopic analyses. Findings The CTAB/AZO solutions form a self-supporting gel with nanofibrillar structure below ~30 °C. The critical gelation concentration is ϕc = 0.45 wt%. Above this threshold, the gel elasticity and strength increase with CTAB/AZO content as ~(ϕ-ϕc)1. The hydrogels exhibit self-healing ability when left at rest after a stress-induced damage. Moreover, the light-induced isomerization of the AZO moieties provides the gel with light-responsiveness. Overall, the multi-stimuli responsiveness of the studied CTAB/AZO hydrogels makes them a solid starting point for the development of sensors for mechanical vibrations and UV/visible light exposure.
2020
Light-responsive and self-healing behavior of azobenzene-based supramolecular hydrogels / SALZANO DE LUNA, Martina; Marturano, Valentina; Manganelli, Marina; Santillo, Chiara; Ambrogi, Veronica; Filippone, Giovanni; Cerruti, Pierfrancesco. - In: JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE. - ISSN 0021-9797. - 568:(2020), pp. 16-24. [10.1016/j.jcis.2020.02.038]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11588/793751
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