Supramolecular hydrogels derived from cyclic amino acids and their applications in the synthesis of Pt and Ir nanocrystals

Abstract

New simple hydrogelators containing the structural features of cyclic amino acids were investigated for water gelation through H-bonds from carboxylic acids and amino groups, showing for the first time the use of a single amino acid as a hydrogelator. The hydrogels were used for the synthesis of Pt and Ir nanoparticles, showing for the first time that a supramolecular hydrogel was used for the in situ formation of Pt and Ir nanocrystals.