Tuning Physical Crosslinks in Hybrid Hydrogels for Network Structure Analysis and Mechanical Reinforcement

Abstract

Hydrogels with high mechanical strength are needed for a variety of industrial applications. Here, a series of hydrogels was prepared by introducing hybrid particles as hydrophobic association points to toughen the hydrogels. These toughened hydrogels were able to transfer an external mechanical force via the reorganization of the crosslinking networks. They exhibited an extraordinary mechanical performance, which was the result of the coordination between hydrophobic segments and hybrid particles. Herein, the connection between the dissipated energy of the inner distribution structure (on a small scale) and the mechanical properties (on a large scale) was conducted. Specifically, we inspected hydrogels of latex particles (LPs) with different chain lengths (C4, C12, C18) and studied their inner structural parameters, namely, the relationship between the density and molecular weight of crosslinking points to the mechanical strength and energy dissipation. Favorable traits of the hydrogels included compact internal structures that were basically free from defects and external structures with puncture resistance, high toughness, etc. Based on the experimental results that agreed with the theoretical results, this study provides a profound understanding of the internal structure of hydrogels, and it offers a new idea for the design of high-strength hybrid hydrogels.

Improving the mechanical performance of P(N‐hydroxymethyl acrylamide/acrylic acid/2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) hydrogel via hydrophobic modified nanosilica

“…The results show that with the increase of frequency, the tan δ of P(NHAM/AA/AMPS)–(M‐SiO 2 ) hydrogel is the smallest, indicating fewer defects in its structure. The above results are closely in agreement with published data 32,45 and indicate that the increase of crosslinking density of hydrogel made the network store more energy and possessed the best mechanical properties. The hydrogel prepared in this study has excellent elasticity.…”

“…Various nanoparticles have been added into hydrophobic association hydrogel network to improve their mechanical properties 31 . A robust dual physically crosslinked hydrogel was prepared via introducing hectorite nanoparticles into hydrophobic association polyacrylamide hydrogel 32 . The enhancement mechanism of nanoparticles is mainly based on the hydrogen bonding between nanoparticles and polymer chains in networks of the hydrogel 33 .…”

Mechanically Reinforced Gelatin Hydrogels by Introducing Slidable Supramolecular Cross-Linkers

“…The mechanical properties of hydrogels used for tissue engineering are generally controlled by different factors such as the cross-link density [4,5] and molecular weight distribution [6]. To solve this problem, many researchers have studied strategies for enhancing the mechanical properties of hydrogels with physical or chemical methods [7,8,9,10,11].…”

Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Heterogeneity Anti-Biofouling Hydrogels with Well-Regulated Rehydration

“…To address these problems, past studies have investigated the excellent deswelling properties by adding highly hydratable salts to bind more water, or by complex chemical modification, synthesizing hydrogel–elastomer hybrids. − However, few of them pay attention to the rehydration performance of hydrogels at different scales. Besides, rehydration and antiswelling are problems that cannot be ignored in practical applications.…”