Abstract:

Phaseselective gelation of mixed un-miscible solvents is of great importance considering its applications in purification and separation, particularly in the recovery of spilled oil and in the purification of water. Gelators with phase-selective gelation properties could be polymers, micro- nano-particles or low-molecular mass gelators(LMMGs). Compared with former two kinds of gelators, gelation using LMMGs as gelators is always reversible. Such reversibility could add additional advantages to practical applications of the gel systems. Progress in the studies of LMMGs with phase-selective gelation properties is reviewed according to the structures of the relevant gelators. Furthermore, prospectives of the studies and the potential applications of the phaseselective gelation phenomenon are also presented.

Key words: Low-molecular mass gelator(LMMGs), phase-selective gelation, spilled oil recovery, water purification