Organogels are soft materials, which result from the immobilisation of an organic liquid or oil in a three dimensional network by a gelator. The organogels in this study were obtained from an organic liquid and a low molecular mass organic gelator (LMOG). In vegetable oils, 12-hydroxystearic acid (HSA) self assemble by non-covalent interactions to form fibrous structures responsible for the gelation phenomenon. We elaborated original soft materials from organogels, characterized them by different techniques and developed original materials for biomedical applications.
Starting from the self-assembly of HSA in soybean oil, we prepared microporous organogels, and water dispersion of gelled nanoparticles:
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Microporous organogels were elaborated by a particulate leaching technique. Sugar, salt or powdered sugar templates were used to introduce a controlled porosity inside the organogels. The obtained porous materials are used as artificial matrices for tissue engineering.
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Water dispersion of gelled particles were obtained by an hot emulsification (T > Tgel), with a stabilizing agent (surfactant or polymer), and a cooling at room temperature (T < Tgel). The dispersions are very stable, and the gelled particles are able to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs for a controlled delivery.
Figure: Electron microscopy images of organogels
a) and b) TEM observations of fibrils and fibers of HSA self-assembled in soybean oil. c) SM of a microporous organogel obtained with sugar porogen and HSA/soybean oil as gel phase. d) TEM of organogel nanoparticles HSA/soybean oil.
References:
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