Publication: Superchaotropic Nano-ion Binding as a Gelation Motif in Cellulose Ether Solutions

Synergy between salt and sugar: Nanometric ions like Keggin polyoxometalates are revealed to induce the cross-linking and hydrogel formation of polymeric sugars, namely non-ionic cellulose ethers, as reported by Max Hohenschutz, Walter Richtering et al. in their Communication (DOI: 10.1002/anie.202210208 <https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202210208>). This novel gelation phenomenon exceeds the thickening effects of typical additives like classical salts and surfactants by orders of magnitude and arises due to the superchaotropicity of the nano-ions,  which drives them out of the water bulk onto the polymers.

Superchaotropic Nano-ion Binding as a Gelation Motif in Cellulose Ether Solutions