Self-Assembly of Supramolecular Gels in Complex Anti-icing Fluids to Create Multicomponent Materials with Enhanced Performance.

ABSTRACT: Low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) based on 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidenesorbitol (DBS, DBS-OCH₃ and DBS-SCH₃) were formulated into anti-icing products (ABC 3, ABC K+, ABC S+) containing polymeric additives, creating hybrid gels. Gels formed at significantly lower concentrations than in the base solvent (monopropylene glycol:H₂O, 50:50), suggesting that the LMWG and the polymer in the anti-icing fluid can cooperate to form a sample-spanning gel. More thermodynamically stable, stiffer gels assemble more rapidly in higher-performance anti-icing fluids (ABC S+ and ABC K+). This suggests that LMWG-polymer interactions in lower-performance fluids (ABC 3) may compete with the assembly of the LMWG, reducing its ability to form a sample-spanning network. TEM visualized

SUBMITTER: McLeod NK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12713764 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature