<i>n</i>-Alkanes Gel <i>n</i>-Alkanes (and Many Other Organic Liquids)

Abstract

Thermoreversible gelation of relatively short n -alkanes and a variety of other organic liquids has been accomplished using low concentrations of long n -alkanes (chain lengths from 24 to 36 carbon atoms) as gelators. The stability of the gels is discussed in terms of gelator concentration, gelation temperature, and the duration of time gels persist without bulk phase separation. Generally, stability increases with the chain length of the gelator. n -Alkanes are structurally the simplest organic gelators possible and their gels with n -alkanes as liquids are the simplest organogels that can be made. Their existence demonstrates that London dispersion forces alone can provide colloidal networks whose strength is sufficient to immobilize liquids against the pull of gravity.