Drying affects the fiber network in low molecular weight hydrogels
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Drying affects the fiber network in low molecular weight hydrogels. / Mears, Laura L. E.; Draper, Emily R.; Castilla, Ana M.; Su, Hao; Zhuola, Zhuola; Dietrich, Bart; Nolan, Michael; Smith, Gregory N.; Doutch, James; Rogers, Sarah E.; Akhtar, Riaz; Cui, Honggang; Adams, Dave J.
In: Biomacromolecules, Vol. 18, No. 11, 30.06.2017, p. 3531-3540.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Drying affects the fiber network in low molecular weight hydrogels
AU - Mears, Laura L. E.
AU - Draper, Emily R.
AU - Castilla, Ana M.
AU - Su, Hao
AU - Zhuola, Zhuola
AU - Dietrich, Bart
AU - Nolan, Michael
AU - Smith, Gregory N.
AU - Doutch, James
AU - Rogers, Sarah E.
AU - Akhtar, Riaz
AU - Cui, Honggang
AU - Adams, Dave J.
PY - 2017/6/30
Y1 - 2017/6/30
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
U2 - 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00823
DO - 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00823
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 28631478
VL - 18
SP - 3531
EP - 3540
JO - Biomacromolecules
JF - Biomacromolecules
SN - 1525-7797
IS - 11
ER -
ID: 187579211