Electro-responsive Binary Hydrogels Based on Calixarene and Viologens

We built several supramolecular binary hydrogels based on tetra-proline modified calix[4]arene (TPC) and various viologens. The obtained results show that the TPC gelation is mostly achieved with viologen bromides in acidic condition. The variation of viologen side-chains has notable impact on the properties of the hydrogels, such as the gel-sol transition temperature (T-get) and morphology, which were evaluated by the combination of dropping-ball method, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The prepared hydrogels are significantly electro-responsive, as well as chemical-sensitive, pH-sensitive and thermo-reversible.