Oligomeric Electrolyte as a Multifunctional Gelator

We prepared a novel oligomeric electrolyte that acts as a multifunctional gelator. The gelator has the following notable characteristics: (1) facile preparation in one pot involving condensation and subsequent intermolecular quaternization reaction; (2) tunable solubility to apply to various solvents (e.g., organic, aqueous) and ionic liquids by a simple anion-exchange reaction; (3) resistant to acids; (4) fast recovery of the mechanical strength after stress; (5) synergistic use as dispersant for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT).