Issue 44, 2018

Sub-zero temperature mechanically stable low molecular weight hydrogels

Abstract

We show here a low molecular weight hydrogelator based on a functionalised-dipeptide which is stable down to temperatures of −12 °C despite being made from >99% water. This stabilty at low temperature can be extended to ∼−40 °C by gelling water : glycerol mixtures. The temperature range is wider than that of the glycerol : water mixtures alone. The rheological properties of the gels do not change at this low temperature compared to that of gels at 25 °C. This freezing point depression offers a potentially new method of transporting gels and offers the prospect of hydrogels being used at much lower working temperatures whilst retaining the desired rheological properties, this is useful for cryopreservation.

Graphical abstract: Sub-zero temperature mechanically stable low molecular weight hydrogels

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 Jūn. 2018
Accepted
02 Aug. 2018
First published
02 Aug. 2018
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018,6, 7274-7279

Sub-zero temperature mechanically stable low molecular weight hydrogels

A. E. R. Fayter, M. I. Gibson and E. R. Draper, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018, 6, 7274 DOI: 10.1039/C8TB01668B

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