Supramolecular Aqueous Gels Based on Terpyridine-Modified Pluronics

Aqueous solutions of terpyridine end-functionalized Pluronics are investigated with or without the addition of Ni2+ and Zn2+ ions. Thermorheological measurements on these solutions show in some cases temperature-dependent sol-gel transitions. Without added metal ions, the thermorheological behavior is controlled by the composition of the Pluronics and the presence of clustered terpyridines. With added metal ions, the thermorheological behavior is essentially controlled by the terpyridine metal ion complexes.