Stretchable, tough and elastic nanofibrous hydrogels with dermis-mimicking network structure

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Developing advanced materials with high mechanical properties like stretchability, strength, and elasticity is crucial for various applications.
• Existing nanofiber-structured hydrogels often struggle to integrate these properties simultaneously, presenting a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create nature-inspired, dermis-mimicking nanofibrous hydrogels with robust mechanical properties.
• To combine the benefits of plant-based zein and elastic waterborne polyurethane (WPU) for enhanced material performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of double-network (DN) structured electrospun nanofibrous hydrogels (NFHs).
• Utilizing reversible hydrogen bonding and strong covalent bonding between zein and WPU molecules.
• Employing a nature-inspired design strategy mimicking dermal tissue structure.

Main Results:

• Achieved high stretchability (683%) and fracture strength (6.5 MPa).
• Demonstrated significant toughness (20.7 MJ m⁻³).
• Exhibited complete recovery from large deformations, indicating excellent elasticity and durability.

Conclusions:

• The developed NFHs possess integrated mechanical properties, including high elongation, strength, and elasticity.
• The nature-inspired double-network strategy offers a pathway for designing mechanically robust and adaptable nanofibrous hydrogels.
• This approach holds potential for scalable fabrication of advanced biomaterials.