Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026

An Optimized O9-1/Hydrogel System for Studying Mechanical Signals in Neural Crest Cells
Published on: August 13, 2021
A supramolecular hydrogel leveraging hierarchical multi-strength hydrogen-bonds hinged strategy achieving a striking
Jumin Yang1, Wenguang Liu1, Wei Wang1,2
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
Abstract:
To obtain high-performance tissue-adhesive hydrogel embodying excellent mechanical integrity, a supramolecular hydrogel patch is fabricated through in situ copolymerization of a liquid-liquid phase separation precursor composed of self-complementary 2-2-ureido-4-pyrimidone-based monomer and acrylic acid coupled with subsequent corporation of bioactive epigallocatechin gallate. Remarkably, the prepared supramolecular hydrogel leverages hierarchical multi-strength hydrogen-bonds hinged strategy assisted by alkyl-based hydrophobic pockets, broadening the distribution of binding strength of physical junctions, striking a canonical balance between superb mechanical performance and robust adhesive capacity. Ultimately, the fabricated supramolecular hydrogel patch stands out as a high stretchability (1500 %), an excellent tensile strength (2.6 MPa), a superhigh toughness (12.6 MJ m-3), an instant and robust tissue adhesion strength (263.2 kPa for porcine skin), the considerable endurance under cyclic loading and reversible adhesion, a superior burst pressure tolerance (108 kPa) to those of commercially-available tissue sealants, and outstanding anti-swelling behavior. The resultant supramolecular hydrogel patch demonstrates the rapid hemorrhage control within 60 s in liver injury and efficient wound closure and healing effects with alleviated inflammation and reduced scarring in full-thickness skin incision, confirming its medical translation as a promising self-rescue tissue-adhesive patch for hemorrhage prevention and sutureless wound closure.
Related Concept Videos
Hydrogen Bonds
Cohesion
On a surface,...
Introduction to Chemical Bonds
The electrons of the outermost energy level determine the energetic stability of the atom and its tendency to form chemical bonds with other atoms. The innermost electron shell has a maximum capacity of two electrons, but the next two electron shells can each have a maximum of eight electrons. This is known as the octet rule, which states that, with the exception of the innermost shell, atoms are most stable energetically when they have eight electrons in their valence shell, the...
Hydrogen Bonds

