Lipase catalyzed synthesis of fluorescent glycolipids: gelation studies and graphene incorporated self-assembled sheet formation for semiconductor applications

A series of fluorescent glycolipids were synthesized via direct condensation of vinylesters with functionalized sugar alcohol using Novozyme 435, an immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica. These glycolipids were found to self-assemble into a gel in vegetable oils and highly hydrophobic solvents. A graphene incorporated hybrid gel was also successfully obtained in linseed oil. The morphology of the gel was investigated by optical microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Auto-oxidation of linseed oil present as a solvent in both self-assembled and graphene incorporated supramolecular gels resulted in the formation of flexible polymer films, which could be potentially used for the construction of future green semiconducting devices.