Photo-patterned multi-domain multi-component hybrid hydrogels

Abstract

This paper explores multi-component gelation systems containing two low-molecular-weight gelators and a polymer gelator. By controlled spatial and temporal application of different triggers – physical and chemical – it is possible to sequentially assemble gel networks, with a degree of self-sorting. A photo-patterned gel with four different domains was fabricated from a complex mixture of components, with the history of each domain programming the gel.