Effect of a non-gelling additive and temperature on the behaviour of the gelator 2NapFF at high pH

2NapFF is a peptide-based low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) commonly used to form gels using water as the solvent. Such supramolecular hydrogels are attractive for use in many applications including cell culturing. However, the properties of these materials are very difficult to predict. One method of controlling gel properties is the use of non-gelling additives. Addition of the structurally similar, non-gelling additive 2NapLG results in a significant increase in the viscosity of solutions of 2NapFF in water. A decrease in temperature further amplifies this change in behaviour. We expect that 2NapLG is altering the assembly of 2NapFF in water and thereby changing its behaviour. We therefore hope to probe the effects of both 2NapLG and low temperature on the structures formed by 2NapFF in water in order to further understand these observations.