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Puncture-resistant hydrogels with high mechanical performance achieved by the supersaturated salt
Bo Tang1,2, Jian Hu1,2, Zijian Zhao1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, P. R. China. hongyinglv@ciac.ac.cn.
Materials Horizons
|March 27, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a simple method to enhance hydrogel mechanical properties using supersaturated salt solutions. The treated hydrogels exhibit improved stiffness, strength, toughness, and damage resistance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Achieving optimal mechanical properties in hydrogels is challenging.
- Simultaneous enhancement of stiffness, strength, and toughness is typically difficult in a single hydrogel formulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple method for simultaneously improving mechanical performance and damage resistance in hydrogels.
- To investigate the use of supersaturated salt solutions for hydrogel modification.
Main Methods:
- Hydrogels based on hydrophobic associations were formed.
- Pre-formed hydrogels were immersed in a supersaturated sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) solution (3.3 M).
- Mechanical properties including stiffness, strength, toughness, puncture resistance, and tear resistance were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Salt treatment led to a transparent hydrogel with significantly enhanced mechanical properties.
- Stiffness increased to 253 ± 7 MPa, strength to 12.65 ± 0.07 MPa, and toughness to 19.6 ± 3.2 MJ m-3.
- Remarkable puncture resistance (66 N force, 370 mJ energy) and tear resistance (34 kJ m-2) were observed.
Conclusions:
- Supersaturated salt treatment is an effective strategy to simultaneously optimize contradictory mechanical properties in hydrogels.
- This method enhances both load-bearing capacity and damage resistance.
- The approach offers a simple pathway to advanced hydrogel materials.
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