Synthesis and characterization of a novel two-component organogelator based on ion-bonded discotic complex

A novel ion-bonded discotic complex was prepared from 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(N,N-dimethylaminopropylaminocarbonylmethoxy)triphenylene (HDTP) and 4′-dodecyloxybiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (DBC) by ionic self-assembly (ISA) route and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum. We found that the complex can self-assemble into stable gels in aromatic hydrocarbons. Nanofibers with diameters of 50-130 nm were observed in the gels by transmission electron micrograph (TEM). The FTIR data in conjunction with UV-vis and fluorescence spectra suggested that the aggregation of the complex into elongated fibers in solution was induced by a directional extended network of hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions. Based on the experiment analysis, we proposed a tentative model of the self-assembly of this two-component gel-phase material.