Programming Gels Over a Wide pH Range Using Multicomponent Systems

Multicomponent hydrogels offer a tremendous opportunity for preparing useful and exciting materials that cannot be accessed using single component. Here, we describe an unusual multi-component low-molecular weight gelling system exhibits pH-responsive behavior involving cooperative hydrogen bonding between the components, allowing it to maintain gel phase across wide pH range. Unlike traditional acid-triggered gels, our undergoes change in underlying molecular packing maintains β-sheet structure both at acidic basic pH. We further establish autonomous programming these two states is possible by enzymatic reaction which allows us prepare gels with improved mechanical properties.