Shear induced gelation in a copper(ii) metallogel: new aspects of ion-tunable rheology and gel-reformation by external chemical stimuli

Abstract

A low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) containing both anion- and metal-binding functionalities forms gels in methanol in the presence of CuBr₂. Shear in the form of short shaking rather than sonication transforms the system from a weak jelly like aggregate into a robust gel, exhibiting clear structural changes of the gel fibres by SEM. Reversible anion tuning with tetrabutylammonium acetate and Cu(BF₄)₂ allows these compounds to act as anion responsive soft materials.