Abstract
The formation of a mechanically self-supporting, macromolecular gel or network is understood on a molecular scale in terms of cross-links or branch points, either of a permanent nature by covalent bond formation, or of a reversible nature, such as in the gelation of gelatin. In thermally reversible gels each branch point may contain numerous monomeric units, indicative of local crystallite or aggregate formation, as in cellulose acetate1 or gelatin2–4, or only two monomeric units as in polyacrylylglycinamide5. The formation of reversible networks in nonionic, rod-like polypeptide homopolymers6–8, particularly at low concentrations (<0.1 wt%), is surprising in that the molecular origin of the branch points is not obvious. We have suggested previously8 that this network constitutes a thermo-dynamic phase resulting from a particular kinetic mechanism of phase formation made favourable by the unusual polymer–diluent phase equilibria occurring with stiff-chain polymers. Here, the network is visualized by electron microscopy, and shown to be compatible with the proposed mechanism.
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Tohyama, K., Miller, W. Network structure in gels of rod-like polypeptides. Nature 289, 813–814 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/289813a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/289813a0
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