Rheological properties and self-assembled structures of a newly synthesized organogelator: cyclohexane carboxamido-2C8/oleyl in different solvent oils

We synthesized a low-molecular-mass organogelator, cyclohexanecarboxamide (HPMDA-R), which is composed of four amide groups with two kinds of side chains (R and R′). We selected two different alkyl groups, 2-ethylhexyl and oleyl, as side chains, considering the solubility and formation of a self-assembled structure within the solvents. We measured the rheological properties of HPMDA-2C 8 /oleyl dissolved in paraffin oil and three kinds of ester oils as solvents. The results indicated that the compound contributed to viscoelasticity in both isododecane and 2-ethylhexyl isononanoate, but increased viscosity only in cetyl caprylate. In addition, the compound behaved as a gelator for isostearyl isostearate. We were able to associate differences in function with the morphology of self-assembly observed by TEM. The formation of a gel may have contributed to the presence of the minute network structure. Our measurements for time-dependency supported that notion.