Thermo-responsive metallo-supramolecular gels based on terpyridine end-functionalized amphiphilic diblock copolymers

摘要

A thermo-responsive hydrogel was prepared on the basis of terpyridine end-functionalized polystyrene-block-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) diblock copolymer. As a first level of assembly, the copolymer was dissolved in a selective solvent to yield micelles bearing terpyridine ligands at the extremity of the coronal chains. The second level of self-assembly was triggered upon addition of metal ions to the micellar solution. Mechanical properties of the accordingly obtained micellar gel were finally characterized by rotational rheometry, below and above the lower critical solution temperature.