The role of hydrogen bonding in alginate/poly(acrylamide-co-dimethylacrylamide) and alginate/poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-based tough hybrid hydrogels

Abstract

The interpenetrating alginate-based hybrid hydrogel network is a tough yet recoverable material. This is believed to be caused by the combination of the strength of a covalent network, and the reversibility of an ionic network. However, hydrogen bonds are believed to also be responsible for the exceptional properties of these hydrogels. In this paper, the effect of varying the reactant concentrations on the mechanical properties of the hydrogels was first studied. By changing the monomer used (from polyacrylamide to polydimethylacrylamide) in the fabrication of the hydrogel, the effect of hydrogen bonding was studied. Compression test results showed that the presence of hydrogen bonds is critical for the high toughness of the hybrid hydrogel. Additionally, co-polymeric hybrid hydrogels were synthesized and shown to have improved mechanical properties over the original hybrid hydrogel, with an elastic modulus and compressive toughness of 350 kPa and 70 J m À3 , respectively. The results of this experiment can be used to optimise the mechanical properties of future hybrid hydrogels.

A Recent Perspective on Noncovalently Formed Polymeric Hydrogels

“…Ionic bonds are also frequently used as sacrificial bonds to dissipate energy. Tough hydrogels can be formed from interpenetrating networks of covalently formed polyacrylamide and ionically formed alginate‐calcium, and these hydrogels can be stretched up to 20 times their original length, and also have fracture energies of ∼9000 J m −2 ,,. These tough hydrogels can be further functionalized with adhesive surfaces to form super strong adhesives .…”

Poly(glycerol sebacate) biomaterial: synthesis and biomedical applications

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] However, applications involving these polymers are limited by their inferior mechanical properties and unsatisfactory compatibility with cells and tissues. The most commonly used biodegradable polymers are poly(lactic acid), polycaprolactone and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).…”

A new light triggered approach to develop a micro porous tough hydrogel

“…1. The ALG-PAAm hydrogels are synthesized by modifying the methods previously developed by Suo et al 30,35 The light responsive polymer EPS is mixed with the precursors of alginate-polyacrylamide (ALG-PAAm) hydrogel before UV curing. UV exposure using a mercury vapour lamp induces polymerization of acrylamide monomers, and simultaneously causes gelation of EPS.…”