Aromatic ionene topology and counterion-tuned gelation of acidic aqueous solutions
Unusual gelation of acidic solutions was achieved using polycations bearing quaternary ammonium moieties. These ionene polymers are based on a disubstituted phenylene dibenzamide core, which allows the construction of different topomers (i.e. ortho-1, meta-2 and para-3). The topology of the polymers...
| Autores: | , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2017 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/105556 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/105556 https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c7sm00234c |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Polymers Colloids Polymerization Polímers Col·loides Polimerització Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria química |
| Sumario: | Unusual gelation of acidic solutions was achieved using polycations bearing quaternary ammonium moieties. These ionene polymers are based on a disubstituted phenylene dibenzamide core, which allows the construction of different topomers (i.e. ortho-1, meta-2 and para-3). The topology of the polymers was found to play a key role on their aggregation behaviour both in pure water and in a variety of aqueous acidic solutions leading to the formation of stable acidic gels. Specifically, ortho-1 showed superior gelation ability than the analogues meta-2 and para-3 in numerous solutions of different pH and ionic strengths. Lower critical gelation concentrations, higher gel-to-sol transition temperatures and faster gelation were usually observed for ortho-1 regardless the solvent system. Detailed computational molecular dynamic simulations revealed a major role of the counterion (Cl-) and specific polymer¿polymer interactions. In particular, hydrogen bonds, N–H¿p interactions and intramolecular p–p stacking networks are distinctive in ortho-1. In addition, counterions located at internal hydration regions also affect to such polymer¿polymer interactions, acting as binders and, therefore, providing additional stability. |
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