Formation and mechanics of self-assembled molecular gels
Dudukovic, Nikola
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/44159
Description
Title
Formation and mechanics of self-assembled molecular gels
Author(s)
Dudukovic, Nikola
Issue Date
2013-05-24T21:52:58Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Zukoski, Charles F.
Department of Study
Chemical & Biomolecular Engr
Discipline
Chemical Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Self-Assembly
Molecular gels
Fmoc-diphenylalanine
Dynamic localization theory
Abstract
Molecular gels are associated with the formation of space spanning structures produced by aggregation of low molecular weight molecules that associate through hydrogen bonding, π-stacking, acid base or van der Waals interactions. One specific type of gel forming molecule is based on a hydrophobic peptide – fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF). This thesis explores gels formed when water is added to Fmoc-FF dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). At high water concentrations, gels are formed at concentrations as low as 0.001%. We establish the gel line defining the Fmoc-FF and water concentrations where gels are formed. At fixed water concentration, over a narrow range of Fmoc-FF concentrations, solutions pass from being low viscosity liquids to a rigid material with elastic moduli G’ > 10^5 Pa. Here we characterize the kinetics of gelation and demonstrate that these gels are reversible in the sense that they can be disrupted mechanically and will rebuild strength over time. We attempt to understand the gelation process as arising from increasing strength of attraction between Fmoc-FF molecules with increasing water concentration. Furthermore, an effort is made to describe the underlying changes in strength of attraction leading to gelation and the mechanical behavior of the resulting gels using a dynamic localization theory.
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