A new method for studying the structure of chemo-mechanical gels used as smart materials

In the present study, we propose a simpler toolkit for investigating chemo-mechanical gels, which show periodic behaviour and are used in the synthesis of "smart" materials. Research methods for such gels are usually expensive and time-consuming. In contrast, we developed a "one chamber" protocol for freeze drying and obtaining the structure images by scanning electron microscopy in situ without additional transfer between different setups. The proposed new method for the investigation of gels will make it possible to reduce sample preparation time and to study complex morphology without disturbing the structure.