Metal- and Anion-Binding Supramolecular Gels

A study was conducted to demonstrate the role of metals and anions in determining gel structure and properties. The study introduced various various experimental techniques used to investigate supramolecular gels and their supramolecular chemistry. It was demonstrated that gel characterization was primarily concerned with the gels' rheological and thermodynamic properties. It was specifically concerned with the gel phase diagram and gel-sol transition temperature. The thermodynamic properties of gels were significantly dependent on the measurement technique with mass and heat transport effects and the fact that different properties were being measured. The variety of techniques employed also allowed significant information to be gathered about the structures of the gelator-iron(III) complexes, along with the mechanism of their formation and the gelation process.