| abstract |
An ionic organic compound having a repeated unit represented by the general formula (I) below can be synthesized easily from a readily available organic compound through just a few reaction steps. Further, the compound can be produced without the need of any purification technique such as chromatography, and is required to be used in a quite small amount for the gelation of water or an ionic liquid without any other co-solvent. [-(A-B-C)n-]·m(X) (I) wherein A represents a group having a quaternary ammonium cation which is formed from a heterocyclic compound having at least one nitrogen atom; B represents a functional group which may have a substituent selected from amide, urea, urethane and peptide groups; C represents a divalent hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent capable of linking between A and B; X represents an anion; n represents the number of the repeated units; and m represents the total number of the anions, provided that n and m are the same integer as each other. A hydrogel prepared using the compound is stable under acidic conditions, is required to be used in a small amount for solidifying a large volume of water, and has an elastic modulus that is restored in its original state rapidly against the structural disruption caused by mechanical distortion. The hydrogel can cause the gelation of an ionic liquid directly without using any other solvent (e.g., water) in the gelation. The hydrogel can also readily disperse carbon nanotubes in water that has a low environmental impact. |