Self-assembly, self-sorting, and electronic properties of a diketopyrrolopyrrole hydrogelator.

We show here the first example of a hydrogel formed from a symmetrically functionalised diketopyrrolopyrrole aromatic core. Gelation is triggered by change in pH. Not only does this gelator form aggregated, entangled structures at low pH, but it also forms worm-like micelles at high pH. The structures at high pH can be aligned using shear to provide conductive materials.