NaturIL gels: gels formed from the synergy of alginates and bioderived ions. Tunable gels from seaweed

A class of NaturIL gels was prepared from alginate and ionic liquids containing ions that can be derived from nature. Aqueous Cholinium Amino Acid Ionic Liquids (ChAAILs) solutions with sodium alginate derived from Laminaria digitata were cross-linked by calcium ions and the variation of rheological properties investigated relative to the parent hydrogel. Viscoelastic gels were formed for the four amino acid anions [Pro], [Gly], [Lys] and [Val] and their rheological properties were compared to those of an analogous hydrogel. All four were found to be stiffer and more viscoelastic than the hydrogel and have properties that varied as the amino acid anion was changed.