Sugar-Derived Phase-Selective Molecular Gelators as Model Solidifiers for Oil Spills

Photochemically Produced Superhydrophobic Silane@polystyrene-Coated Polypropylene Fibrous Network for Oil/Water Separation

Cost-effective separation of oil and immiscible organic contaminants from water has become an urgent challenge to protect aquatic and human life from devastating effects. Therefore, it has become imperative to develop super-selective materials for efficiently separating oil from water. In this work, a superhydrophobic surface has been formed that consists of a silane@polystyrene-coated polypropylene fibrous network (silane@PS-PPF) for efficient separation of accidentally spilled oil from water. The superhydrophobic PPFs were designed by a simple, cost-effective two-step process that includes photochemically controlled polymerization of styrene and subsequent dip coating in octadecyltrichlorosilane solution. The hydrophobic surface (CA=129°±4°) of the PS coated PPF after treating with silane was turned into a superhydrophobic body (CA=161°±2°). The achieved silane@PS-PPF fibrous network selectively allowed the fast permeation of the oils and non-polar organic liquids by altogether rejecting water during operation. The separation efficiency for various oils from the contaminated water was 96 to 99%, with a high flux in the range of 7606±312 L m^-2 h^-1 to 9870±151 L m^-2 h^-1 . Apart from being used as a filter, the silane@PS-PPF was also used as an oil absorber and has shown an absorption capacity in the range of 1185 to 1535% for various oils. We anticipate that the developed silane@PS-PPF, due to its facile synthetic route, cost-effectiveness, and high performance, can be effectively used in oily wastewater treatment and clean-up of large oil spills from water.

How Far Are We in Combating Marine Oil Spills by Using Phase-Selective Organogelators?

Marine oil spills is one of the frequent natural disasters that adversely affect the economy and ecosystem. A variety of methods have been developed to combat marine oil spills. However, none of these methods is ideal and universal for tackling different kinds of oil spills. In addition, most of these methods do not offer the possibility for recovering the spilt oil. There is great interest in developing novel and better methods for combating marine oil spills that allow recovery of the spilt oil. The use of low molecular weight organogelators that can selectively congeal oil from oil-water mixtures have been proposed to be useful for oil spill recovery. From this initial proposal, the area has progressed gradually towards their practical implementation. The advancements and novel concepts in this area are reviewed.

Triethylenetetramine-Based Semiconducting Fe(III) Metallogel: Effective Catalyst for Aryl-S Coupling

A fascinating way to originate a mechanically stable metallogel of ferric ions with metal-coordinating organic ligand triethylenetetramine through direct mixing of their water solutions in a stoichiometric ratio is achieved under ambient conditions. The rheological study established the mechanical property of the Fe(III) metallogel. A cashew-shaped microstructure of the metallogel was observed by FESEM analysis. The electrical property of the Fe(III) metallogel was also carefully scrutinized. The semiconducting features like the Schottky barrier diode property of the Fe(III) metallogel were explored. The catalytic role of the Fe(III) metallogel was also critically explored. The Fe(III) metallogel shows an excellent catalytic property toward the synthesis of aryl thioethers via a C-S coupling reaction under mild reaction conditions without the use of any organic solvent.

A redox-responsive organogel based on a selenium-containing low molecular mass gelator

A redox-responsive low molecular mass gelator (Chol-Se) with selenium as its redox-active center was designed and synthesized. Responsive transformation of Chol-Se in ethyl acetate between the gelation and solution was achieved.

Tripeptide based super-organogelators: structure and function

The peptide based super-gelators are highly soluble in non-toxic organic solvent ethanol, the solution is easy to handle and just by spraying the ethanol solution over an oil–water mixture it is able to form an organogel at room temperature.

Macroporous monoliths with pH-induced switchable wettability for recyclable oil separation and recovery

HYPOTHESIS

The effective separation and recovery of oils from water is important for the protections of ecosystems and the environment. Polymeric porous monoliths have been demonstrated as attractive absorbents for oil/water separation. However, the recyclability was mainly realized by squeezing, combustion, or centrifugation, which may restrict in elastic materials, destroy the adsorbates or need special apparatus. Thus it is desirable to developing monoliths with controllable oil absorption and desorption.

EXPERIMENTS

A series of "smart" monoliths with pH-induced switchable wettability were fabricated by high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) polymerization and epoxide ring-opening for the incorporation of amine groups. The resultant monoliths and their wettabilities were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption and contact angle analysis, respectively. The oil separation efficiency and recyclability were evaluated.

FINDINGS

The monoliths with macroporous structure can undergo switchable wettability under reversible pH stimulation. As an absorbent, the monoliths not only separated and recovered organic solvents and oils (including crude oil) from aqueous mixtures through a reversible and recyclable absorption and desorption process upon alternating the pH between 7.0 and 1.0, but also continuously expulsed oils from water surfaces in a continuous manner with the aid of external driving pressures. Moreover, the monoliths also allowed the effective separation of surfactant-free and surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions with high separation efficiency.

A Library of Multipurpose Supramolecular Supergelators: Fabrication of Structured Silica, Porous Plastics, and Fluorescent Gels

Supramolecular gels find applications in various fields. Usually, a specific gelator is useful only for a specific application. This one-gelator-one-application format is one factor that limits the usefulness of supramolecular gels. We report the synthesis of a library of gelators from a common core by using a click-chemistry approach. Thus, the click reaction of β-azido-4,6-O-benzylidene-galactopyranoside (1) with various alkynes gave 11 different gelators having varying gelation abilities. Whereas gelators having alkyl-chain substituents congealed alkanes and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), the gelators having aromatic substituents congealed aromatic solvents. We exploited this difference in gelling behavior in the templated synthesis of silica rods and porous plastics. The styrene gel of gelator 2 j was polymerized, and the gelator was removed by washing to obtain porous polystyrene. The TEOS gel of gelator 2 b was polymerized to silica, and the gelator template was removed by calcination to give microstructured silica rods. We also developed fluorescent gelator 2 f by this method, which might find applications by virtue of its fluorescence in the assembled state.

Creation of "Rose Petal" and "Lotus Leaf" Effects on Alumina by Surface Functionalization and Metal-Ion Coordination

Functional differences between superhydrophobic surfaces, such as lotus leaf and rose petals, are due to the subtle architectural features created by nature. Mimicry of these surfaces with synthetic molecules continues to be fascinating as well as challenging. Herein, we demonstrate how inherently hydrophilic alumina surface can be modified to give two distinct superhydrophobic behaviors. Functionalization of alumina with an organic ligand resulted in a rose-petal-like surface (water pinning) with a contact angle of 145° and a high contact angle hysteresis (±69°). Subsequent interaction of the ligand with Zn²⁺ resulted in a lotus-leaf-like surface with water rolling behavior owing to high contact angle (165°) and low-contact-angle-hysteresis (±2°). In both cases, coating of an aromatic bis-aldehyde with alkoxy chain substituents was necessary to emulate the nanowaxy cuticular feature of natural superhydrophobic materials.

Organogelator-Cellulose Composite for Practical and Eco-Friendly Marine Oil-Spill Recovery

Marine oil spills pose serious threats to the ecosystem and economy. There is much interest in developing sorbents that can tackle such spills. We have developed a novel sorbent by impregnating cellulose pulp with a sugar-derived oleogelator, 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-mannitol. The gelator molecules mask the surface-exposed hydroxyl groups of cellulose fibrils by engaging them in H-bonding and expose their hydrophobic parts making the fibers temporarily hydrophobic (water contact angle 110°). This sorbent absorbs oil effectively, selectively and instantly from oil-water mixtures due to its hydrophobicity. Then the gelator molecules get released uniformly in the oil and later self-assemble to fibers, as evident from SEM analysis, congealing the oil within the matrix. This hierarchical entrapment of the oil by non-covalent polymeric fibers within a covalent polymer matrix makes the gel very strong (230-fold increase in the yield stress) and rigid, making it suitable for practical use.

Polythiophene functionalized hydrophobic cellulose kitchen wipe sponge and cellulose fabric for effective oil–water separation

Oil–water separation using polythiophene coated cellulose sponge and fabric.

Salt Tunable Rheology of Thixotropic Supramolecular Organogels and Their Applications for Crystallization of Organic Semiconductors

Physical gelation behaviors of a series of novel bisurea-based derivatives bearing fatty alkyl tertiary amine moieties have been explored in water and common organic solvents. One of these amines exhibits very good thixotropic gels in apolar aromatic solvents (e.g., xylenes). The corresponding sol-gel transition is instantaneous and could be repeated for at least 50 cycles. Interestingly, the elasticity and strength of the resulting gels can be remarkably enhanced initially by the addition of a trace amount of tetrabutylammonium acetate (TBA) followed by a subsequent drop with further salt addition. Temperature-dependent ¹H NMR confirmed that hydrogen bonding is the main driving force for the physical gelation. TEM, rheology, ¹H NMR titration, and examination of critical gelation concentration (CGC) reveal that the phenomenon is due to the dominated effects, the salting out effect at lower TBA concentration, or the anion-urea hydrogen bonding at higher TBA concentration. Furthermore, the obtained transparent gels in this work can be used as good media for growing crystals of several organic semiconductors.

Carbon-Nanotube-Mediated Electrochemical Transition in a Redox-Active Supramolecular Hydrogel Derived from Viologen and an l-Alanine-Based Amphiphile

A two-component hydrogelator (16-A)2 -V(2+) , comprising an l-alanine-based amphiphile (16-A) and a redox-active viologen based partner (V(2+) ), is reported. The formation the hydrogel depended, not only on the acid-to-amine stoichiometric ratio, but on the choice of the l-amino acid group and also on the hydrocarbon chain length of the amphiphilic component. The redox responsive property and the electrochemical behavior of this two-component system were further examined by step-wise chemical and electrochemical reduction of the viologen nucleus (V(2+) /V(+) and V(+) /V(0) ). The half-wave reduction potentials (E1/2 ) associated with the viologen ring shifted to more negative values with increasing amine component. This indicates that higher extent of salt formation hinders reduction of the viologen moiety. Interestingly, the incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the electrochemically irreversible hydrogel (16-A)2 -V(2+) transformed it into a quasi-reversible electrochemical system.

4-Perfluoroalkylbutoxybenzene derivatives as liquid crystalline organogelators based on phase-selective gelators

4-Perfluoroalkylbutoxybenzene derivatives as a smart soft material show efficient and rapid phase-selective gelation ability from water at extremes of pH.

Functional self-assembled lipidic systems derived from renewable resources

Self-assembled lipidic amphiphile systems can create a variety of multi-functional soft materials with value-added properties. When employing natural reagents and following biocatalytic syntheses, self-assembling monomers may be inherently designed for degradation, making them potential alternatives to conventional and persistent polymers. By using non-covalent forces, self-assembled amphiphiles can form nanotubes, fibers, and other stimuli responsive architectures prime for further applied research and incorporation into commercial products. By viewing these lipid derivatives under a lens of green principles, there is the hope that in developing a structure-function relationship and functional smart materials that research may remain safe, economic, and efficient.

Application of solubility parameters in 1,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol organogel in binary organic mixtures

The gelation behavior of 1,3:2,4-bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol (DMDBS) in binary solvents has been systematically investigated. DMDBS is soluble in DMSO and insoluble in toluene (apolar) or 1-propanol (polar). When DMSO is added to a poor solvent at a certain volume fraction, DMDBS forms an organogel in the mixed solvent. With increasing DMSO content, the minimum gelation concentration increases and the gel-to-sol transition temperature decreases in both systems. However, compared with those in toluene-DMSO mixtures, the gelation ability and thermal stability are better in 1-propanol-DMSO mixtures. Scanning electron microscopy images reveal that the gelators aggregate to form three-dimensional networks. X-ray diffraction shows that the gel has a lamellar structure, which is different from the structure of the precipitate. Fourier transform infrared results reveal H-bonding is the main driving force for self-aggregation and indicate that stronger H-bonding interactions exist between gelators in 1-propanol-DMSO mixtures in contrast with toluene-DMSO mixtures. Attempts have been taken to correlate solvent parameters to gelation behavior in binary solvents. A Teas plot exhibits distinctly different solvent zones in the studied mixed solvents. The polar parameter (δp) indicates a narrow favorable domain for gel formation in the range of 1.64-7.99 MPa(1/2) for some apolar solvent-DMSO mixtures. The hydrogen-bonding parameter (δh) predicts that gelation occurs for values of 14.00-16.50 MPa(1/2) for some polar solvent-DMSO mixtures. The result may have potential applications in predicting the gelation behavior of 1,3:2,4-di-O-benzylidene-d-sorbitol derivatives in mixed solvents.

Exploiting molecular self-assembly: from urea-based organocatalysts to multifunctional supramolecular gels

We describe the self-assembly properties of chiral N,N'-disubstituted urea-based organocatalyst 1 that leads to the formation of hierarchical supramolecular gels in organic solvents at low concentrations. The major driving forces for the gelation are hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions according to FTIR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, as well as quantum-mechanical studies. The gelation scope could be interpreted based on Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic parameters. TEM, SEM, and AFM imaging revealed that a variety of morphologies including helical, laths, porous, and lamellar nanostructures could be obtained by varying the solvent. Experimental gelation tests and computational structural analysis of various structurally related compounds proved the existence of a unique set of molecular interactions and an optimal hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance in 1 that drive the formation of stable gels. Responses to thermal, mechanical, optical, and chemical stimuli, as well as multifunctionality were demonstrated in some model gel materials. Specifically, 1 could be used for the phase-selective gelation of organic solvent/water mixtures. The gel prepared in glycerol was found to be thixotropic and provided a sensitive colorimetric method for the detection of Ag(I) ions at millimolar concentrations in aqueous solution. Moreover, the gel matrix obtained in toluene served as a nanoreactor for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of 1H-indole with trans-β-nitrostyrene.

Evaluation of hydrophobic polyvinyl-alcohol formaldehyde sponges as absorbents for oil spill

Macroporous materials are a class of absorbents used for oil spill cleanup. In this article, novel macroporous and hydrophobic polyvinyl formaldehyde (PVF-H) sponges were prepared by the reaction of stearoyl chloride with hydroxyl groups of hydrophilic PVF sponge at different temperatures. Attenuated total reflectance-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy confirmed the successfully anchoring of hydrophobic stearoyl groups on the PVF networks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images demonstrated that the as-prepared PVF-H had interconnected open-cell structures, and mercury intrusion porosimetry indicated that the average pore size ranged from 60 to 90 μm and porosity was greater than 94.8%. Such PVF-H sponges can absorb oil products effectively, such as toluene, n-hexane, kerosene, soybean oil, hydraulic oil, and crude oil up to 13.7 g·g(-1) to 56.6 g·g(-1), and this level of absorption was approximately 2-4 times higher than that absorbed by commercial polypropylene nonwoven mat. In low-viscosity oils, the samples can reach the saturated absorption amount only in 1 min, but in higher-viscosity oils, absorption equilibrium can be reached in 10 min. In a simulated oil slick system, these macroporous and hydrophobic sponges can still maintain high oil absorption capacities within the range of 14.4 g·g(-1) to 57.6 g·g(-1), whereas a relatively low absorption rate (approximately 20 min) indicated high absorption performance and excellent selectivity in the oil-water mixture. In addition, the absorbed oils were collected effectively only through a simple squeeze. The PVF-H sponges were subjected to 35 absorption-squeeze cycles and exhibited good reusability and 90% recovery for oils. The samples prepared at different temperatures differed in their absorption capacities to some extent. However, this new kind of macroporous and PVF-H sponges had excellent absorption performance on oil products.