Self-Assembled Networks and Molecular Gels Derived from Long-Chain, Naturally-Occurring Fatty Acids

Self-assembly of molecular gelators in a variety of liquids provides an attractive route for the construction of nanostructured materials with desired functionalities. This review focuses on correlations between structural features of gelators, specifically derivatives of long-chain, naturally-occurring fatty acids in which functional groups have been modified systematically and their gelation efficiencies in a wide range of liquids. It is shown that molecular packing at different distance scales within the gel assemblies and the microscopic and macroscopic physical properties of the gels are ...