Issue 7, 2013

Metallo-supramolecular hydrogels based on copolymers bearing terpyridine side-chain ligands

Abstract

A well-defined amphiphilic poly(triethyleneglycol methylether methacrylate)-block-polystyrene (PTEGMA-b-PS) block copolymer with terpyridine groups randomly distributed within the water-soluble block has been sequentially synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Its self-assembly into micellar structures was analyzed in dilute aqueous solution by dynamic light scattering measurements (DLS). Metallo-supramolecular hydrogels were obtained after the addition of Ni(II) ions to either the precursor PTEGMA homopolymer solution or the PTEGMA-b-PS micellar solution. The PTEGMA-b-PS micelles formed gels at a much lower concentration than the corresponding PTEGMA homopolymer, thus evidencing the influence of the hydrophobic PS block on the critical gelation concentration. The mechanical properties of both hydrogels were finally investigated by rotational rheometry.

Graphical abstract: Metallo-supramolecular hydrogels based on copolymers bearing terpyridine side-chain ligands

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Oct 2012
Accepted
17 Dec 2012
First published
10 Jan 2013

Soft Matter, 2013,9, 2314-2320

Metallo-supramolecular hydrogels based on copolymers bearing terpyridine side-chain ligands

F. D. Jochum, J. Brassinne, C. Fustin and J. Gohy, Soft Matter, 2013, 9, 2314 DOI: 10.1039/C2SM27358F

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