Supramolecular phase-selective gelation by peptides bearing side-chain azobenzenes: Effect of ultrasound and potential for dye removal and oil spill remediation

Bachl, J. ; Oehm, S. ; Mayr, J. ; Cativiela, C. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Marrero-Tellado, J. ; Día Díaz, D.

Resumen: Phase selective gelation (PSG) of organic phases from their non-miscible mixtures with water was achieved using tetrapeptides bearing a side-chain azobenzene moiety. The presence of the chromophore allowed PSG at the same concentration as the minimum gelation concentration (MGC) necessary to obtain the gels in pure organic phases. Remarkably, the presence of the water phase during PSG did not impact the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of the corresponding organogels. In the case of miscible oil/water mixtures, the entire mixture was gelled, resulting in the formation of quasi-hydrogels. Importantly, PSG could be triggered at room temperature by ultrasound treatment of the mixture or by adding ultrasound-aided concentrated solution of the peptide in an oil-phase to a mixture of the same oil and water. Moreover, the PSG was not affected by the presence of salts or impurities existing in water from natural sources. The process could be scaled-up, and the oil phases (e.g., aromatic solvents, gasoline, diesel fuel) recovered almost quantitatively after a simple distillation process, which also allowed the recovery and reuse of the gelator. Finally, these peptidic gelators could be used to quantitatively remove toxic dyes from aqueous solutions.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/ijms160511766

Año: 2015

Publicado en: International Journal of Molecular Sciences 16, 5 (2015), 11766-11784
ISSN: 1661-6596

Factor impacto JCR: 3.257 (2015)

Categ. JCR: CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 51 / 163 = 0.313 (2015) - Q2 - T1
Categ. JCR: BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY rank: 110 / 289 = 0.381 (2015) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.157 - Medicine (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Physical and Theoretical Chemistry (Q1) - Computer Science Applications (Q1) - Inorganic Chemistry (Q1) - Spectroscopy (Q1) - Organic Chemistry (Q1) - Molecular Biology (Q2) - Catalysis (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E40
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO-FEDER/CTQ2013-40855-R

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Química Orgánica (Dpto. Química Orgánica)