Ramos Ondono, Jessica
(2018)
The Synthesis and Characterisation of Novel Low Molecular
Weight Gelators and their Applications in Electrospinning to
Develop Biocompatible Materials and Tissue Scaffolds.
PhD thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
The work described in this thesis reports the design, synthesis and characterisation
of novel compounds capable of acting as Low Molecular Weight Gelators (LMGWs).
This class of compounds form self-assembled fibrous networks which entrap the
solvent and form gels. These materials have received considerable attention in recent
years due to a variety of applications that range from environmental to biomedical
fields. Amphiphilic lipoamino acids, squaramides and carbohydrates are useful
starting materials to synthesise LMWGs because they provide functional groups that
can form the intermolecular interactions necessary for the formation of
supramolecular self-assembled structures.
Chapter 2 describes the synthesis and characterisation of amphiphilic derivatives of
L-serine and their evaluation as LMWGs. This study shows how structural features,
such as the functional groups in the side chain, or the length of the hydrocarbon
chains affect their ability to form gels. These compounds were found to effect
selective gelation of aliphatic or aromatic solvents. The lipoamino acids were also
tested as phase selective gelators of organic solvents in biphasic aqueous mixtures.
In addition, these compounds were used for the removal of aromatic pollutants from
water.
Chapter 3 describes the synthesis and characterisation of glycolipid derivatives of
galactosyl, L and D/L (racemic) aspartic acid. Two families of glycolipids (O-linked and
N-linked) were evaluated as LMWGs. It was found that structural features such as the
chirality of the aspartic acid core or the nature of the glycosidic bond strongly affect
the gelation ability and selectivity of these compounds.
Chapter 4 describes the synthesis and characterisation of LMWGs from
galactosylated amphiphilic squaramides. These compounds were found to be
excellent gelators of mixtures of EtOH:H2O (1:1) and represent the first example of a
glycosylated squaramide supramolecular gelator.
Finally, Chapter 5 describes the application of the LMWGs discussed in previous
chapters for the formation of PCL blended electrospun materials. The conditions to
form electrospun fibres were optimised and their morphology and hydrophilic /
hydrophobic character evaluated. In addition, preliminary studies determining the
suitability of these materials as drug delivery systems and tissue scaffolds were
carried out by our collaborators.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(PhD)
|
| Keywords: |
Synthesis; Characterisation; Novel Low Molecular
Weight Gelators; Applications; Electrospinning;
Biocompatible Materials; Tissue Scaffolds; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Chemistry |
| Item ID: |
13816 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
12 Jan 2021 12:26 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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