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Toughening Hydrogels with Fibrillar Connected Double Networks
Yu-Huang Fang1, Chen Liang1, Ville Liljeström2
1Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15100, Espoo, 02150, Finland.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|April 5, 2024
Summary
This study introduces tough hydrogels using fibrillar connected double networks (fc-DN). This new design enhances strength and toughness for load-bearing applications in soft robotics and bioelectronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Biological tissues exhibit high strength and toughness with minimal plastic deformation.
- Current tough hydrogels often rely on physical bonds, leading to large plastic deformations and limiting load-bearing uses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel strategy for toughening hydrogels with minimal plastic deformation.
- To create hydrogels suitable for demanding applications like soft robotics and bioelectronics.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of fibrillar connected double networks (fc-DN) hydrogels.
- Utilizing chemically interconnected polyacrylamide and acrylated agarose networks.
- Investigating stress transfer and fibril alignment during deformation.
Main Results:
- Achieved ultimate tensile strength of 8 MPa and toughness over 55 MJ m-3.
- Demonstrated 3-3.5 times improvement over non-connected fibrillar double network hydrogels.
- Showcased application as a load-bearing damping material for a robotic lander.
Conclusions:
- The fc-DN design offers a new mechanism for hydrogel toughening.
- Chemically crosslinked networks ensure low plastic deformation after high strain.
- Fc-DN hydrogels show potential for soft robotics, bioelectronics, and load-bearing applications.
