Biomimetic Microstructured Hydrogels with Thermal-Triggered Switchable Underwater Adhesion and Stable Antiswelling
Bo Zhang1, Lianghao Jia1, Jinrui Jiang1
1Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 26, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a biomimetic hydrogel with switchable underwater adhesion. This material adheres and detaches on demand, inspired by tree frogs, offering potential for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Designing hydrogels with tunable adhesion in wet conditions is challenging.
- Existing hydrogels often lack stable anti-swelling properties in aqueous environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a biomimetic hydrogel with on-demand switchable adhesion and stable anti-swelling properties.
- To investigate the mechanism of thermal-triggered shape transformation for adhesion control.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized hydrogels using poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate and 2-ureidoethyl methacrylate.
- Fabricated hexagonal micropillar patterns on hydrogel surfaces.
- Utilized thermal stimuli to trigger shape-memory effects for adhesion switching.
Main Results:
- Hydrogels demonstrated stable water content (<2% volume change) across variable pH, temperature, and salt concentrations.
- Hexagonal micropillar patterned hydrogels showed seven times greater underwater adhesion than flat hydrogels.
- Adhesion strength was reduced to 15.4% of initial values upon thermal stimulus-induced microstructure recovery.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydrogel offers robust anti-swelling properties and switchable underwater adhesion.
- The biomimetic design and shape-memory effect enable controlled adhesion and detachment.
- Potential applications include transfer printing, medical adhesives, and mobile robotics.
