Ultralight aerogels via supramolecular polymerization of a new chiral perfluoropyridine-based sulfonimidamide organogelator

Nanoscale. 2024 Apr 18;16(15):7603-7611. doi: 10.1039/d3nr06460c.

Abstract

Chiral and enantiopure perfluorinated sulfonimidamides act as low-molecular weight gelators at low critical gelation concentration (<1 mg mL-1) via supramolecular polymerization in nonpolar organic solvents and more heterogenic mixtures, such as biodiesel and oil. Freeze-drying of the organogel leads to ultralight aerogel with extremely low density (1 mg mL-1). The gelation is driven by hydrogen bonding resulting in a helical molecular ordering and unique fibre assemblies as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, CD spectroscopy, and computational modeling of the supramolecular structure.