Functional Supramolecular Gels Comprised of Bis-Urea Compounds and Cosmetic Solvents

Abstract

In this study, bis-urea derivatives were found to be effective supramolecular gelators in cosmetic solvents. The structural details of the gels which showed different aggregation patterns were obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The difference in the network formation of the gels suggests dependence of the self-assembly process in the solvent and structure of the gelator. Oscillatory measurements demonstrated the elastic and solid-like behavior of the gels, with storage modulus (G’) greater than the loss modulus (G”) at the linear viscoelastic region. The imaging and rheological analyses along with the gelation test results, indicate that the nanostructural framework and stability of the gels were also influenced by solvophobic interactions. The self-assembling behavior of bis-urea compounds via hydrogen bonding was qualitatively assessed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The organogels discussed in this study can be further explored and their properties tuned for potential use in commercial cosmetic formulations.