Organic salts and aromatic substrates in two-component gel phase formation: the study of properties and release processes

To identify gel phases able to act as confined reaction media or materials for the removal of organic pollutants, we studied two-component gel phases formed by naphthalenedisulfonate diimidazolium salts in the presence of some organic guests, in 1-propanol solution. Guests differing in p-surface area, bulkiness and electronic properties were taken into account. Soft materials obtained were investigated for their thermal stability, self-repairing ability and morphology. Furthermore, two-component gel phase formation was studied using resonance light scattering (RLS) measurements. Guest release processes from the gel phase were also studied. These processes were monitored as a function of time using both UV-vis and RLS measurements and considering important parameters such as the gelator concentration, the nature of extraction solvent and the extension of contact surface area between solvent and gel phase. Data collected shed light on the properties of the two-component gels and could represent a useful tool to better plan the application of these soft materials.