Synthesis and Characterization of pH Triggered Imine Functional Low Molecular Weight Hydrogel

Abstract

AbstractA C‐3 symmetric imine functional nonpolymeric low molecular weight gelator is prepared using microwave assisted Schiff base reaction. The synthesized molecule forms a hydrogel at 5 wt% under slightly acidic pH. The material was characterized using an inversion tube test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and FT‐IR spectroscopy. Rheological studies show the material forms a strong hydrogel with formation of nanofibrils supported by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). To the best of our knowledge this is the first example of imine based trigonal low molecular weight hydrogelator reported.