Controllable transformation from sensitive and reversible heat-set organogel to stable gel induced by sodium acetate

This paper describes the first example of controllable transformation from sensitive and reversible heat-set organogel to stable gel induced by sodium acetate. Upon the addition of proper amount of acetate sodium into the reversible heat-set organogel system composed of β-CD, phenolphthalein (PP) and lithium chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide, the reversible gel could transform to stable gel as the temperature decreased. Further studies showed that other analogous acetates with K+ and Mg2+ do not possess this property. The gel was characterized by SEM, XRD and FT-IR. This work may pave the way for the design of smart materials with multi-responsiveness.

Reversible sol–gel transition and different phenomena caused by adding carboxylates. The reversible heat-set organogel system composed of (-CD, phenolphthalein and lithium chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide could transform to stable gel as the temperature decreased. This controllable transformation is realized by the addition of proper amount of sodium acetate into the reversible gel system.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The heat-set organogel is prepared by β-CD, phenolphthalein and LiCl in DMF.
► The heat-set organogel could transform to stable gel with decreasing temperature.
► The transformation could be controlled effectively by the amount of sodium acetate.
► Other analogous acetates with K+ and Mg2+ do not possess this controllable property.