Multi-component, Self-assembled, Functional Soft Materials

Abstract

Supramolecular chemistry is an emerging tool for devising materials that can perform specified functions. The self-assembly of facially amphiphilic bile acid molecules has been extensively utilized for the development of functional soft materials. Supramolecular hydrogels derived from the bile acid backbone act as useful templates for the intercalation of multiple components. Based on this, synthesis of gel-nanoparticle hybrid materials, photoluminescent coating materials, development of a new enzyme assay technique, etc. were achieved in the author's laboratory. The present account highlights some of these achievements.

The Past, Present, and Future of Molecular Gels. What Is the Status of the Field, and Where Is It Going?

“…Can molecular gels with magnetic nanoparticles, catalytic sites, or liquids consisting of liquid crystals be adapted for industrial uses? Can molecular gels become a viable means to clean oil and chemical spills? − Can molecular gels be used to reveal details about more complex systems related to blood clotting, the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and silk fiber extrusion? − Can molecular gels be used as templates to fabricate more robust materials on a commercial scale? , Can the use of molecular gels in the food industry be expanded? − Can luminescent gels be employed in real-world analytical applications as sensors and light guides? ,− Can molecular gels supplant polymeric ones for some cleaning/restoration projects in conservation science with works of cultural heritage? − Can “recipes” be found for synthesizing very strong or weak molecular gels, and ones with reversible adhesion or fast thixotropic recovery? Currently, such materials are discovered by chance, although they may be useful as dental adhesives …”

Supramolecular Gels from Conjugates of Bile Acids and Amino Acids and Their Applications

“…Small molecule derived supramolecular gels result from various noncovalent intermolecular interactions such as hydrophobic natures, π–π stacking, van der Waals forces, hydrogen‐bonding and aromatic interactions Among many classes of molecules, supramolecular gels derived from steroidal molecules have been extensively studied , . Bile acids, which are a class of steroids, are facially amphiphilic molecules with a unique molecular structure of a polyhydroxylated tetracyclic steroid nucleus with an easily modifiable carboxylic group attached to the side chain (Figure ).…”

A bolaamphiphilic amino acid appended photo-switching supramolecular gel and tuning of photo-switching behaviour

“…Molecular self-assembly plays a crucial role in the design and construction of small organic molecule based functional novel materials [1][2][3][4] with interesting applications. Stimuli responsive self-assembled hydrogels are endowed with miscellaneous interesting applications including drug delivery vehicles, biochemical sensors, cell adhesion mediators, micro-fluidics and others.…”