Chapter 3: Thermodynamic Aspects of Molecular Gels

Phase diagrams are powerful tools for studying the mechanisms and the dynamics involved during molecular self-assembly in the development of gels, and for comparing the efficiency of gelators. Phase diagrams, complemented with microstructural analysis, can be used to engineer molecular gels with particular physical properties. In this chapter, we present fundamental and practical information associated with thermodynamic concepts involved in the sol-gel transition of gelator molecules. We also discuss the best techniques available to evaluate the development of molecular gels, and the thermodynamic conditions and parameters required to construct reliable phase diagrams. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018.

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