An Ingredients Approach to Functional Self-Synthesizing Materials: A Metal-Ion-Selective, Multi-Responsive, Self-Assembled Hydrogel

New methodology for making novel materials is highly desirable. Here, an ingredients approach to functional self-assembled hydrogels was developed. By designing a building block to contain the right ingredients, a multi-responsive, self-assembled hydrogel was obtained through a process of template-induced self-synthesis in a dynamic combinatorial library. The system can be switched between gel and solution by light, redox reactions, pH, temperature, mechanical energy and sequestration or addition of MgII salt.