Solvent-dependent self-assembly and morphological transition of low-molecular-weight azobenzene organogel. Issue 33 (17th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Zhiwei; Zhang, Shaoze; Zhang, Junji; Zhu, Liangliang; Qu, Dahui
• Is Part Of: Tetrahedron. Volume 73:Issue 33(2017)
• Page Start: 4891
• Page End: 4895
• Publication Date: 2017-08-17
• Subjects: Low-molecular-weight organogel -- Solvent-dependent -- Morphological transition -- Azobenzene; Chemistry, Organic -- Periodicals; 547.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2017.05.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-4020

Abstract

Abstract: A novel low molecular weight organogelator (LMOG) containing an azobenzene group has been designed and synthesized. Stable gels could be formed in various organic solvents. UV–Vis spectroscopy indicated that the sol-gel transition of the organogels could be reversibly tuned by UV/visible light irradiations. Importantly, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the characteristic gelation morphologies would vary from solvents of different polarities. FT-IR, XRD and rheological measurements demonstrated that the different nanostructures in polar and non-polar solvents might result from the differences in the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking driving forces as well as the different stacking models for the formation of the gels. Moreover, as an efficient phase-selective gelator, this photo-switchable gel could perform as an efficient absorbent and water cleaner to remove pollutants (e.g. rhodamine B). Graphical abstract: