Soft Glassy Gels

Viscoelastic measurements for a representative NLC gel composite showing the elastic (G′) and loss (G′′) moduli as a function of applied strain (γ) exhibiting soft glassy behavior

Extensive thermal and rheological characterisation of organogels formed by the physical gelation of a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) host with a dipeptide based organogelator. NLC gels are found to be mechanically more robust and thermo-reversible like most other organogels. Additionally, the gels exhibit soft glass rheological (SGR) behaviour, which is commonly observed for materials like foams, emulsions etc. This phenomenon brings out the interesting fact that NLC gels have a wide range of potential applications on par with the above mentioned commonly used soft systems. Apart from this bulk effect, gelation also imparts an interesting transition in the molecular orientation, the extent of which could be tuned by the gel network. See J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 697-704 (2010).

Posted by Geetha Nair