A process for the formation of an ionic gel comprising contacting a first polyelectrolyte reactant having a backbone comprising a plurality of β-1,4-glycosidic linkages in the 4C1 conformation and an oligoelectrolyte reactant or second polyelectrolyte reactant, having a backbone containing a plurality of β-1,4-glycosidic linkages in the 4C1 conformation, in aqueous solution under pH conditions such that one reactant is charged and the other uncharged adding a donor to adjust the pH such that said uncharged reactant possesses a charge opposite to that of the charged reactant so as to form an ionic gel.
