Beilstein Arch. 2026, 202631. https://doi.org/10.3762/bxiv.2026.31.v1
Published 10 Sep 2026
A multicomponent supramolecular hydrogel based on a gemini imidazolium gelator that forms fibres incorporating anionic azobenzene and porphyrin derivatives, that absorb violet light, is shown to exhibit vibrations of the self-assembled fibres. Apparently not observed previously, it is found that in regions of the hydrated gel with low fibre concentration the fibres move perpendicularly to their long axis when observed using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and a monochromatic light source to excite the porphyrin. The movement is shown to be robust, in that it is continuous up to at least 300 seconds without any breakage of the fibres. The vibrational frequency and amplitude are independent of the laser intensity within the used range of photon flux, indicating that the vibrations originate from bulk thermal motion. The bulk gel that has many fibre interconnections does not show any fibre movement. Therefore, the vibrations are assumed to be manifested because of a relatively small number of fibre connections within gel network. The thermal energy and consequent Brownian motion of the surrounding bulk liquid are believed to be the power source that drives these motions.
Keywords: Colloid; fluorophore; microscopies; organic nanofibre; supramolecular hydrogel
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Dupkalova, D.; Amabilino, D. B.; Pérez-García, L. Beilstein Arch. 2026, 202631. doi:10.3762/bxiv.2026.31.v1
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