Solvent-Free Synthesis of Shape-Programmable Hydrogel Particles Using Polyhedral Liquid Marbles
Tatsuro Yoshida1, Riku Sato2, Takayuki Shiihara2
1Division of Applied Chemistry, Environmental and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, 5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka 535-8585, Japan.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|March 7, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a solvent-free method to create diverse nonspherical hydrogel particles using liquid marbles as molds. This technique enables precise shape control for advanced soft materials and functional applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Nonspherical hydrogel particles offer unique anisotropic properties not achievable with spherical counterparts.
- Precise shape control of hydrogels is challenging, often requiring complex equipment or organic solvents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a versatile, solvent-free method for synthesizing geometrically defined nonspherical hydrogel particles.
- To demonstrate the tunable properties and potential applications of these anisotropic hydrogel particles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polyhedral liquid marbles (LMs) as template-guided reaction vessels.
- Constructed LMs using hydrophobic polymer plates around monomer droplets with a photoinitiator.
- Initiated polymerization via UV irradiation to form hydrogel particles mirroring LM shapes.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized hydrogel particles in various polyhedral shapes (cubic, tetrahedral, octahedral, dodecahedral, icosahedral).
- Demonstrated tunable swelling by adjusting cross-linking density and created multihollow structures.
- Showcased swelling-induced mechanical function in cubic hydrogels, lifting an external object.
Conclusions:
- The LM-based method provides a simple, solvent-free approach for producing shape-programmable anisotropic hydrogel particles.
- This technique avoids specialized apparatus and organic solvents, offering a versatile platform for soft materials.
- Potential applications include soft robotics, stimuli-responsive systems, and 3D hydrogel assemblies.
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