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Unusual reversible elastomeric gels from Nostoc commune.

Sol Rodriguez1, Karen N Gonzales1, Eduardo G Romero1

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima, 32, Peru.

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Summary

Nostoc commune cyanobacteria form unique biological gels with properties of both chemical and physical gels. These resilient gels exhibit reversible stress softening, showcasing their unique structural and bonding characteristics.

Keywords:
CyanobacteriaNatural gelNostoc communePolysaccharides

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Nostoc commune cyanobacteria thrive in extreme environments, forming gelatinous colonies.
  • These colonies are composed of polysaccharides that enable water and nutrient storage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dual chemical and physical gel characteristics of Nostoc commune colonies.
  • To elucidate the structural and bonding properties contributing to their resilience.

Main Methods:

  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for structural analysis.
  • Plate-plate rheometry to assess mechanical properties.
  • Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical analysis.
  • Absorption/desorption tests for water retention capabilities.

Main Results:

  • The gel's storage modulus was frequency independent, typical of chemical gels.
  • Stress sweeps revealed reversible stress softening, indicating physical interactions within the network.
  • A high density of physical crosslinks contributes to elastomeric behavior and limited chain relaxation.

Conclusions:

  • Nostoc commune biological gels exhibit hybrid properties, combining features of chemical and physical gels.
  • The reversible stress softening is attributed to the physical nature of the network's bonds.
  • The dense physical crosslinks enable a highly elastomeric network, enhancing the gel's resilience in extreme conditions.