Thixotropic hydrogelators based on a cyclo(dipeptide) derivative

Langmuir. 2013 Nov 26;29(47):14666-73. doi: 10.1021/la402333h. Epub 2013 Nov 11.

Abstract

Thixotropic hydrogelators have great potential in biomedical and biotechnological applications. In this study, we report new hydrogelators and their behavior during gel-sol-gel transitions. In particular, cyclo(L-O-hydroxyhexylaspartyl-L-phenylalanyl), which was synthesized with 1,6-hexanediol, formed a thermally/isothermally reversible physical gel with several solvents, including pure water, saline, alcohols, as well as 1.0 M aqueous NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 solutions. TEM observations showed self-assembled fibers with diameters of 10-100 nm. FT-IR results revealed that the gels were mainly formed by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces; thixotropic behavior resulted from the disruption of the van der Waals forces between the alkylene chains under shearing. These results were repeatedly and reproducibly observed at room temperature, even when measurements were repeated many times.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dipeptides / chemistry*
  • Hydrogels / chemical synthesis
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Molecular Structure
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Dipeptides
  • Hydrogels