Probing the effect of 3D-printing on perylene bisimide hydrogels

Perylene bisimides (PBIs), such as PBI-A, are low molecular weight gelators commonly used to form gels in water. Such supramolecular hydrogels, when blended with the non-gelling polymer PEO, are attractive as potential candidates for 3D printing. 3D printing offers a spatially controlled delivery of hydrogels which has potential applications in optoelectronics. Upon printing, these gels become significantly stiffer, suggesting a change in the packing or structure of the fibres. Therefore, we hope to investigate the structural changes both after a high shear has been applied and under compression to mimic the printing process, to understand these observations and give us the best performance in our gels.