ABSTRACT
This chapter describes stimuli-responsive materials prepared from a rigid rod-like low-dimensional compound “imogolite” (IG) that are adequately constructed in accordance with its structural characteristics. Some of the living organisms consist of various architectures of one-dimensional compounds such as nanofiber and nanotube. The relationship between the morphology and non-Newtonian behavior of the IG-dicarboxylic acid (DA) gel was estimated from X-ray scattering and rheological measurements of the structure and viscoelastic properties of the gel. The “stepwise” development of (IG) assemblies, that is, slow propagation of networks relative to hydrocluster formation, results in loosely connected frameworks, giving gels with stimuli- responsiveness. The chapter reveals the assembly kinetics of molecules in stimuli-responsive hydrogels prepared from IG, which is a rigid rod-like low-dimensional compound, and DAs. The quasi-solid electrolyte presented is a thixotropic gel swelled with an ionic liquid. The uniform alignment of IGs collapses by mechanical impacts caused by the thixotropic nature of the oriented IG–MA gels.
