Self-sorting multi-gelator gels—mixing and ageing effects in thermally addressable supramolecular soft nanomaterials

Abstract

The self-sorting of a multi-gelator gel containing a protected sorbitol derivative and a cholesterol-based gelator is described. Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), NMR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we have shown how the self-sorting of two independent nanoscale networks within the gel can be detected at molecular, nano/meso and macro length-scales. DSC allows us to observe the thermal characteristics associated with each individual gelator network within the self-sorted gel. We also report that one component within the gel exhibits significant and unusual ageing effects, with the morphology of the gel nanostructure evolving over time, and leading to materials with enhanced thermal stabilities. These properties are transferred into the multi-gelator gel, which also exhibits enhanced gel properties on ageing. In combination, the results in this paper demonstrate how individual gelators can act independently within multi-gelator gel soft materials.