Double-Network Organohydrogels Toughened by Solvent Exchange.
Jianan Li1, Xue Cheng1, Bingbing He1
1Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials for Ministry of Education, School of Materials, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan Province, 475004, P. R. China.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|December 30, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel double-network organohydrogel (OHG) using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-alginate and polyacrylamide. The new OHG exhibits enhanced strength and environmental stability, offering tunable properties for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Calcium alginate double-network hydrogels are widely used but suffer from low strength and poor environmental stability.
- These limitations restrict their practical applications in various fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel double-network organohydrogel (OHG) with improved mechanical properties and environmental stability.
- To explore the potential of organohydrogels for advanced material applications.
Main Methods:
- A stable physical network was formed using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-alginate and a polyacrylamide network via solvent exchange.
- Mechanical properties were tuned by varying DMSO content.
Main Results:
- The developed OHG achieved a maximum tensile strength of approximately 1.7 MPa.
- The OHG demonstrated significantly enhanced environmental stability compared to traditional double-network hydrogels.
- Unique properties such as free-shapeability, shape-memory, and self-adhesion were observed due to reversible hydrogen bonding.
Conclusions:
- The novel double-network organohydrogel offers a promising alternative to conventional hydrogels.
- The tunable mechanical properties and enhanced stability open new avenues for alginate-based gel applications.
Keywords:
DMSO‐alginate‐based physical networkdouble‐network organohydrogelsself‐adhesionsolvent exchangetoughening mechanical property
