Research progress in the correlation between gelation properties and solvent parameters

Abstract

To enable the effective development of functional gels, much effort has been dedicated to elucidating the mechanism of gelation. However, most existing studies have considered only the influence of the chemical structure of the gelators and/or external environmental factors; the contribution of the solvent in the gelation procedure is not yet understood. In this review, to reveal the solvent effects, the relationship between the gelation properties (such as the gel-sol phase transition temperature (Tgel), the critical gelation concentration (CGC), and the gelation behaviors) and the solvent parameters (ε, ET(30), χ, δ, δd, δp, δh) is systematically discussed, based on recent research progress. Moreover, some experimental models for predicting the solvent effects (such as the one-dimensional model, Teas plot model, and Hansen space models) are introduced and discussed; these models could provide a guide for the development of new supramolecular gel systems.