title: An "ingredients" approach to functional self-synthesizing materials: a metal-ion-selective, multi-responsive, self-assembled hydrogel.
abstract: New methodology for making novel materials is highly desirable. Here, an "ingredients" approach to functional self-assembled hydrogels was developed. By designing a building block to contain the right ingredients, a multi-responsive, self-assembled hydrogel was obtained through a process of template-induced self-synthesis in a dynamic combinatorial library. The system can be switched between gel and solution by light, redox reactions, pH, temperature, mechanical energy and sequestration or addition of Mg(II) salt.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen (The Netherlands), Fax: (+31) 50-363-4296.
authors.forename: Jianwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ivica
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cvrtila
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colomb-Delsuc
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Otten
authors.forename: Sijbren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Otto
keywords: combinatorial chemistry; gels; responsive hydrogels; self-assembly; self-healing hydrogels; supramolecular chemistry