Executive Summary : | The self-assembly of individual molecules to create an ordered structure among components is a unique process that can dictate various properties in a material. The nature of assemblies can be significantly influenced by external stimuli like temperature, shear stress, ultrasound, pH, light, and the introduction of specific chemical entities. Gelator-induced self-assembly is unique as it can entrap solvent molecules, generating gels among the self-assembled structures. Metal-incorporated gels are relatively less explored and in their infancy. The importance of metal ions in a gel structure lies in their ability to impart unprecedented mechanical, optical, magnetic, gas storage, electronic, sensing, catalytic, and other properties.
This project aims to focus on modulating self-assembled metallogel structures in purposeful ways. Metallogels can act as heterogeneous catalysts towards different organic reactions, but one major problem is leaching out of metal ions and resulting in a drop in catalytic conversions. The project will investigate the role of second reinforcing components (organic/other metal ions/metal nanoparticles) on the gel strength to stop metal leaching and explore the efficacy of bimetallic gel systems with mutual cooperative effects for practical applications. Fabricated metallogels will be designed to respond to external factors like light, temperature, pH, and other factors for conversion from gel-to-sol or induce gel collapse, and the release of loaded drugs as drug delivery measures. |