Hybrid Gels Assembled from Fmoc-Amino Acid and Graphene Oxide with Controllable Properties

A supramolecular gel is obtained from the self‐assembly of an ultralow‐molecular‐weight gelator (N‐fluorenyl‐9‐methoxycarbonyl glutamic acid) in good and poor solvents. The gelators can self‐assemble into a lamellar structure, which can further form twisted fibers and nanotubes in the gel phase. Rheological studies show that the gels are robust and rigid, and are able to rapidly self‐recover to a gel after being destroyed by shear force. Fluorescence experiments reveal the aggregation‐induced emission effects of the gel system; the fluorescence intensity is significantly enhanced by gel formation. Graphene oxide (GO) is introduced into the system efficiently to give a hybrid material, and the interaction between gelators–GO sheets is studied. Rheological and fluorescent studies imply that the mechanical properties and the fluorescent emission of the hybrid materials can be fine‐tuned by controlling the addition of GO. Well gel: A supramolecular gel that is robust and rigid with high elastic modulus and yield stress is fabricated by using a good/poor solvent strategy. Driven by intermolecular H‐bonds, the ultralow‐molecular‐weight gelator forms a lamellar gel, which then combines with graphene oxide (GO) sheets to form supramolecular networks. The interactions between native gels and GO sheets are efficient, and the mechanical properties, fluorescent emission, and thermal properties can be tailored flexibly.