In this article, welan gum-graphene oxide (GO) composite hydrogels were prepared by simple self-assembly of both components in aqueous media and the effects of GO on the gelation of welan gum were systematically studied.
The ability to modulate
the phase behavior of an aqueous surfactant
two-phase (ASTP) system reversibly with light is of great importance
in both fundamental and applied science. Thus far, most of the light-responsive
ASTP systems are based on covalent modification of the component molecules.
In this article, we, for the first time, achieve photoresponsiveness
in a light-inert ASTP system by physically introducing a phototrigger
with the aid of a Trojan horse. The ASTP system formed from sodium
laurate (SL) and dodecyltributylammonium bromide (DBAB) does not show
light responsiveness by physically mixing a light-responsive azobenzene
compound, 2-(4-(phenyldiazenyl)phenoxy)acetate sodium (Azo). However,
in the presence of the host–guest complex SL@β-CD formed
from β-CD and sodium laurate (SL), the ASTP turns quickly into
a homogeneous suspension under visible light, which recovers to the
original ASTP state again under 365 nm UV irradiation. Because the
SL@β-CD complex exists harmonically with the ASTP system, it
can be viewed as a “Trojan horse” that becomes fatal
only when the encapsulated SL is triggered to release. In the presence
of the Trojan horse, the photoresponsiveness of the ASTP system can
be manipulated reversibly by alternatively exerting UV and visible
light. Using this strategy, we are able to collect trace amounts of
oily components from water. The current strategy points out that it
is possible to achieve light responsiveness in light-inert systems
with a physical method, which may have profound impact on both the
fundamental and applied science.
The self-assembly behavior of a nonionic surfactant (n-dodecyl tetraethylene monoether, C12E4) and a peptide amphiphile (PA, C16-GK-3) mixed system was investigated using a combination of microscopic, scattering and spectroscopic techniques.
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