Drying Affects the Fiber Network in Low Molecular Weight Hydrogels



Mears, Laura LE ORCID: 0000-0001-7558-9399, Draper, Emily R, Castilla, Ana M, Su, Hao, Zhuola, , Dietrich, Bart, Nolan, Michael C ORCID: 0000-0002-7382-1999, Smith, Gregory N, Doutch, James, Rogers, Sarah
et al (show 3 more authors) (2017) Drying Affects the Fiber Network in Low Molecular Weight Hydrogels. BIOMACROMOLECULES, 18 (11). pp. 3531-3540.

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Abstract

Low molecular weight gels are formed by the self-assembly of a suitable small molecule gelator into a three-dimensional network of fibrous structures. The gel properties are determined by the fiber structures, the number and type of cross-links and the distribution of the fibers and cross-links in space. Probing these structures and cross-links is difficult. Many reports rely on microscopy of dried gels (xerogels), where the solvent is removed prior to imaging. The assumption is made that this has little effect on the structures, but it is not clear that this assumption is always (or ever) valid. Here, we use small angle neutron scattering (SANS) to probe low molecular weight hydrogels formed by the self-assembly of dipeptides. We compare scattering data for wet and dried gels, as well as following the drying process. We show that the assumption that drying does not affect the network is not always correct.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Dipeptides, Hydrogels, Solvents, Molecular Weight, Scattering, Small Angle
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 17 Aug 2017 09:32
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 07:00
DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00823
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3008374