GEL FORMATION IN LOW-CONCENTRATED AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF L-CYSTEINE AND SILVER PERCHLORATE
It has been found that low-concentration aqueous solutions of silver perchlorate (AgClO4) and amino acid L-cysteine (L-Cys) with a molar ratio of Ag / Cys components of 1.50 to 2.00 form supramolecular gels with the addition of electrolytes (sodium sulfate and sodium chloride). The mechanism of gelling is studied by means of viscometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DSD). It was found that as a result of self-organization in the aqueous solution of L-Cys-AgClO<sub>4</sub>, the formation of supramolecular chains (-AgS... AgS-) n occurs in the first stage. The formation of the hydrogel (second stage) is initiated by the addition of an electrolyte.