Supramolecular Assembly of pH-Sensitive Triphenylene Derived π-Gelators and Their Application as Molecular Template for the Preparation of Silica Nanotubes

MUÑOZ RESTA, IGNACIO; MANZANO, VERÓNICA; CECCHI, FLORENCIA; SPAGNUOLO, CARLA; CUKIERNIK, FABIO; DI CHENNA, PABLO

Gels

MDPI

Año: 2016 vol. 2

The gelation properties and mode of self-assembly of six asymmetrical hexaethertriphenylene derivatives mono-functionalized with carboxylic and primary amine groups were investigated. The presence of a carboxylic and amine group attached to the triphenylene core generated stable, thermo- and pH-sensitive supramolecular -organogels with a reversible response to both stimuli. In order to understand the gelation process, we studied the effect of the spacer lengthand found a different gelation scope for the acid and basic derivatives that accounts for a different supramolecular self-assembly. The presence of the basic group on the amino derivatives was used to guide and catalyze the templated in situ sol-gel polymerization of TEOS and allowed us, undercontrolled hydrolytic conditions, to prepare an entangled fibrillar network of silica nanotubes.