1
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Wang XQ, Xie AQ, Cao P, Yang J, Ong WL, Zhang KQ, Ho GW. Structuring and Shaping of Mechanically Robust and Functional Hydrogels toward Wearable and Implantable Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309952. [PMID: 38389497 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels possess unique features such as softness, wetness, responsiveness, and biocompatibility, making them highly suitable for biointegrated applications that have close interactions with living organisms. However, conventional man-made hydrogels are usually soft and brittle, making them inferior to the mechanically robust biological hydrogels. To ensure reliable and durable operation of biointegrated wearable and implantable devices, mechanical matching and shape adaptivity of hydrogels to tissues and organs are essential. Recent advances in polymer science and processing technologies have enabled mechanical engineering and shaping of hydrogels for various biointegrated applications. In this review, polymer network structuring strategies at micro/nanoscales for toughening hydrogels are summarized, and representative mechanical functionalities that exist in biological materials but are not easily achieved in synthetic hydrogels are further discussed. Three categories of processing technologies, namely, 3D printing, spinning, and coating for fabrication of tough hydrogel constructs with complex shapes are reviewed, and the corresponding hydrogel toughening strategies are also highlighted. These developments enable adaptive fabrication of mechanically robust and functional hydrogel devices, and promote application of hydrogels in the fields of biomedical engineering, bioelectronics, and soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qiao Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - An-Quan Xie
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Pengle Cao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jian Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Wei Li Ong
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Ke-Qin Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk, College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Ghim Wei Ho
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
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2
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Ali MA, Singh M, Zhang S, Kaneko D, Okajima MK, Kaneko T. Metal-Assisted Injection Spinning of Ultra Strong Fibers from Megamolecular LC Polysaccharides. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1099. [PMID: 38675018 PMCID: PMC11054878 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecular orientation of liquid crystalline (LC) hydrogels has the potential to induce a range of functionalities that can deliver great mechanical strength. Sacran is a supergiant LC polysaccharide isolated from the cyanobacterium Aphanothece sacrum with a high amount of anionic functional groups such as sulfates and carboxylates. In this article, ultra-strong sacran hydrogels and their dried fibers were produced by cross-linking under injection flow with trivalent metal ions such as Al3+, Cr3+, Fe3+, In3+, and rare-earth metal ions such Er3+ and Sr3+. Crossed-polarizing microscopy and X-ray diffraction imaging revealed a uniaxial molecular orientation in the LC gel fiber, resulting in outstanding mechanical characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Asif Ali
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Ave, Wuxi 214122, China; (M.A.A.); (D.K.)
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technologies, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi 923-1292, Ishikawa, Japan; (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Maninder Singh
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technologies, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi 923-1292, Ishikawa, Japan; (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technologies, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi 923-1292, Ishikawa, Japan; (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Daisaku Kaneko
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Ave, Wuxi 214122, China; (M.A.A.); (D.K.)
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technologies, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi 923-1292, Ishikawa, Japan; (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Maiko Kaneko Okajima
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Ave, Wuxi 214122, China; (M.A.A.); (D.K.)
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technologies, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi 923-1292, Ishikawa, Japan; (M.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Tatsuo Kaneko
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Ave, Wuxi 214122, China; (M.A.A.); (D.K.)
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Technology, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technologies, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi 923-1292, Ishikawa, Japan; (M.S.); (S.Z.)
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3
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Meng Z, Löser L, Saalwächter K, Gasser U, Klok HA. Disulfide-Cross-Linked Tetra-PEG Gels. Macromolecules 2024; 57:3058-3065. [PMID: 38616809 PMCID: PMC11008237 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c02514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The preparation of polymer gels via cross-linking of four-arm star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (Tetra-PEG) precursors is an attractive strategy to prepare networks with relatively well-defined topologies. Typically, Tetra-PEG gels are obtained by cross-linking heterocomplementary reactive Tetra-PEG precursors. This study, in contrast, explores the cross-linking of self-reactive, thiol-end functional Tetra-PEG macromers to form disulfide-cross-linked gels. The structure of the disulfide-cross-linked Tetra-PEG gels was studied with multiple-quantum NMR (MQ-NMR) spectroscopy and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments. In line with earlier simulation studies, these experiments showed a strong dependence of the relative fractions of the different network connectivities on the concentration of the thiol-end functional Tetra-PEG macromer that was used for the synthesis of the networks. Disulfide-cross-linked Tetra-PEG gels prepared at macromer concentrations below the overlap concentration (c = 0.66c*) primarily feature defect connectivity motifs, such as primary loops and dangling ends. For networks prepared at macromer concentrations above the overlap concentration, the fraction of single-link connectivities was found to be similar to that in amide-cross-linked Tetra-PEG gels obtained by heterocomplementary cross-linking of N-hydroxysuccinimide ester and amine functional Tetra-PEG macromers. Since disulfide bonds are susceptible to reductive cleavage, these disulfide-cross-linked gels are of interest, e.g., as reduction-sensitive hydrogels for a variety of biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Meng
- Institut
des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie
Chimiques, Laboratoire des Polymères, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss
National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) Bio-inspired Materials, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Löser
- Institut
für Physik - NMR, Martin-Luther Universität
Halle-Wittenberg, Betty-Heimann-Str. 7, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kay Saalwächter
- Institut
für Physik - NMR, Martin-Luther Universität
Halle-Wittenberg, Betty-Heimann-Str. 7, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Urs Gasser
- Laboratory
for Neutron Scattering and Imaging (LNS), Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Harm-Anton Klok
- Institut
des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie
Chimiques, Laboratoire des Polymères, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss
National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) Bio-inspired Materials, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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4
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Zhang Y, Pan Y, Chang R, Chen K, Wang K, Tan H, Yin M, Liu C, Qu X. Advancing homogeneous networking principles for the development of fatigue-resistant, low-swelling and sprayable hydrogels for sealing wet, dynamic and concealed wounds in vivo. Bioact Mater 2024; 34:150-163. [PMID: 38225944 PMCID: PMC10788230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective sealing of wet, dynamic and concealed wounds remains a formidable challenge in clinical practice. Sprayable hydrogel sealants are promising due to their ability to cover a wide area rapidly, but they face limitations in dynamic and moist environments. To address this issue, we have employed the principle of a homogeneous network to design a sprayable hydrogel sealant with enhanced fatigue resistance and reduced swelling. This network is formed by combining the spherical structure of lysozyme (LZM) with the orthotetrahedral structure of 4-arm-polyethylene glycol (4-arm-PEG). We have achieved exceptional sprayability by controlling the pH of the precursor solution. The homogeneous network, constructed through uniform cross-linking of amino groups in protein and 4-arm-PEG-NHS, provides the hydrogel with outstanding fatigue resistance, low swelling and sustained adhesion. In vitro testing demonstrated that it could endure 2000 cycles of underwater shearing, while in vivo experiments showed adhesion maintenance exceeding 24 h. Furthermore, the hydrogel excelled in sealing leaks and promoting ulcer healing in models including porcine cardiac hemorrhage, lung air leakage and rat oral ulcers, surpassing commonly used clinical materials. Therefore, our research presents an advanced biomaterial strategy with the potential to advance the clinical management of wet, dynamic and concealed wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yanjun Pan
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1678 Dong Fang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Ronghang Chang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kangli Chen
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Haoqi Tan
- Suzhou Innovation Center of Shanghai University, Shanghai University, Suzhou 215000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meng Yin
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1678 Dong Fang Road, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Changsheng Liu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xue Qu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Material Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Wenzhou Institute of Shanghai University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
- Shanghai Frontier Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism Shanghai, 200237, China
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5
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Ohya Y, Dohi R, Seko F, Nakazawa Y, Mizuguchi KI, Shinzaki K, Yasui T, Ogawa H, Kato S, Yoshizaki Y, Murase N, Kuzuya A. Synthesis of Topological Gels by Penetrating Polymerization Using a Molecular Net. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202317045. [PMID: 38191829 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202317045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Topological gels possess structures that are cross-linked only via physical constraints; ideally, no attractive intermolecular interactions act between their components, which yields interesting physical properties. However, most reported previous topological gels were synthesized based on supramolecular interlocked structures such as polyrotaxane, for which attractive intermolecular interactions are essential. Here, we synthesize a water-soluble "molecular net" (MN) with a large molecular weight and three-dimensional network structure using poly(ethylene glycol). When a water-soluble monomer (N-isopropylacrylamide) is polymerized in the presence of the MNs, the extending polymer chains penetrates the MNs to form an ideal topological MN gel with no specific attractive interactions between its components. The MN gels show unique physical properties as well a significantly high degree of swelling and high extensibility due to slipping of the physical cross-linking. We postulate this method to yield a new paradigm in gel science with unprecedented physical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Ohya
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
- Kansai University Medical Polymer Research Center, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Ryota Dohi
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Fumika Seko
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Yuto Nakazawa
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Mizuguchi
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Kosei Shinzaki
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Takahiko Yasui
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ogawa
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Shizuka Kato
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Yuta Yoshizaki
- Organization for Research & Development of Innovative Science & Technology (ORDIST), Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
- Current address: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Nobuo Murase
- Organization for Research & Development of Innovative Science & Technology (ORDIST), Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
| | - Akinori Kuzuya
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
- Kansai University Medical Polymer Research Center, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate, Suita, Osaka, 564-8680, Japan
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6
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Wang Y, Jiang X, Li X, Ding K, Liu X, Huang B, Ding J, Qu K, Sun W, Xue Z, Xu W. Bionic ordered structured hydrogels: structure types, design strategies, optimization mechanism of mechanical properties and applications. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:4033-4058. [PMID: 37522298 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00326d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Natural organisms, such as lobsters, lotus, and humans, exhibit exceptional mechanical properties due to their ordered structures. However, traditional hydrogels have limitations in their mechanical and physical properties due to their disordered molecular structures when compared with natural organisms. Therefore, inspired by nature and the properties of hydrogels similar to those of biological soft tissues, researchers are increasingly focusing on how to investigate bionic ordered structured hydrogels and render them as bioengineering soft materials with unique mechanical properties. In this paper, we systematically introduce the various structure types, design strategies, and optimization mechanisms used to enhance the strength, toughness, and anti-fatigue properties of bionic ordered structured hydrogels in recent years. We further review the potential applications of bionic ordered structured hydrogels in various fields, including sensors, bioremediation materials, actuators, and impact-resistant materials. Finally, we summarize the challenges and future development prospects of bionic ordered structured hydrogels in preparation and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Wang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Xinyu Jiang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Xusheng Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Kexin Ding
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Xianrui Liu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Bin Huang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Junjie Ding
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Keyu Qu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Wenzhi Sun
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Zhongxin Xue
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
| | - Wenlong Xu
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science Ludong University, Yantai 264025, China.
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Norioka C, Kawamura A, Miyata T. Relatively homogeneous network structures of temperature-responsive gels synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2505-2513. [PMID: 36843532 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00044c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The network structures of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) gels prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were compared with those prepared by free radical polymerization (FRP), as a conventional radical polymerization. Temperature-responsive shrinkage was observed in the PNIPAAm gels prepared by ATRP and FRP (ATRP and FRP gels), which depended on the cross-linker content. From the light-scattered intensities, 〈I〉T, measured at the different sample positions, we used the partial heterodyne method to determine the dynamic fluctuation, 〈I〉F, spatial component, 〈I〉C, and correlation length, ξ, of the ATRP and FRP gels, as a function of the cross-linker content and temperature. While there is little difference in 〈I〉F and ξ between the ATRP and FRP gels, 〈I〉C of the ATRP gel was smaller than that of the FRP gel. In addition, we calculated the standard deviation of 〈I〉T for the ATRP and FRP gels, as a function of temperature to quantify the inhomogeneity of the gel networks. The standard deviation revealed that increasing cross-linker content and temperature makes the gel networks more inhomogeneous. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement used to characterize the gel network revealed that ATRP suppresses inhomogeneity more effectively than FRP. The standard deviation of the scattered intensity is used in this study to quantify the inhomogeneity of the network structures. Quantitative evaluations of the inhomogeneity of the network structures by the standard deviation of the scattered intensity are useful in the investigation of the structure-property relationships of gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisa Norioka
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35, Yamate-cho, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan.
| | - Akifumi Kawamura
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35, Yamate-cho, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan.
- Organization for Research and Development of Innovative Science and Technology, Kansai University, 3-3-35, Yamate-cho, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan
| | - Takashi Miyata
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35, Yamate-cho, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan.
- Organization for Research and Development of Innovative Science and Technology, Kansai University, 3-3-35, Yamate-cho, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan
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8
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Liu P, Zhang Y, Guan Y, Zhang Y. Peptide-Crosslinked, Highly Entangled Hydrogels with Excellent Mechanical Properties but Ultra-Low Solid Content. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2210021. [PMID: 36754047 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202210021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Low solid content is the ultimate reason for the brittleness and weakness of ordinary hydrogels. Here, hydrogels with ultra-low solid content but good mechanical properties are successfully synthesized using high monomer concentrations and low cross-linker/monomer ratios to obtain highly entangled structure and poly(l-lysine)-based cross-linker to introduce peptide chains. Compared with hydrogel cross-linked with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS), the peptide-crosslinked one has a larger swelling degree in water, leading to fully swollen gel with ultra-low solid content (5.8%). However, it still exhibits excellent mechanical properties, including high stretchability (440%), high tensile strength (220 KPa), superb resilience (99%), high fracture toughness (2100 J m-2 ), excellent fatigue resistance (720 J m-2 ), low friction (0.0059), and high wear resistance. These properties are comparable to or even better than the BIS-crosslinked hydrogel, although the former has much lower solid content. The excellent mechanical properties of the peptide-crosslinked gel are attributed to its highly entangled structure and also to the introduction of a novel mechanism for energy dissipation, that is, energy dissipation via breakage of intramolecular hydrogen bonds stabilizing the helical structure of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Ying Guan
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, School of Chemistry, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
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9
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Furuya T, Koga T. Effects of Primary Structure of Reactive Polymers on Network Structure and Mechanical Properties of Gels. MACROMOL THEOR SIMUL 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/mats.202200044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Furuya
- Department of Polymer Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Kyoto University Katsura Kyoto 615‐8510 Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Koga
- Department of Polymer Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Kyoto University Katsura Kyoto 615‐8510 Japan
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10
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Hagita K, Murashima T, Ohkuma T, Jinnai H. Ring-Filling Effect on Stress–Strain Curves of Randomly End-Linked Tetra-Arm Prepolymers. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katsumi Hagita
- Department of Applied Physics, National Defense Academy, 1-10-20, Hashirimizu, Yokosuka 239-8686, Japan
| | - Takahiro Murashima
- Department of Physics, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aramaki-aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ohkuma
- Digital Engineering Division, Bridgestone Corporation, 3-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8531, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Jinnai
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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11
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Lin X, Zhao X, Xu C, Wang L, Xia Y. Progress in the mechanical enhancement of hydrogels: Fabrication strategies and underlying mechanisms. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20220154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
| | - Xianwei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
| | - Chongzhi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
| | - Lili Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
| | - Yanzhi Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Bio‐Fibers and Eco‐Textiles, Collaborative Innovation Center for Marine Biomass Fibers, Materials and Textiles of Shandong Province Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University Qingdao China
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12
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Yamakado T, Saito S. Ratiometric Flapping Force Probe That Works in Polymer Gels. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:2804-2815. [PMID: 35108003 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c12955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Polymer gels have recently attracted attention for their application in flexible devices, where mechanically robust gels are required. While there are many strategies to produce tough gels by suppressing nanoscale stress concentration on specific polymer chains, it is still challenging to directly verify the toughening mechanism at the molecular level. To solve this problem, the use of the flapping molecular force probe (FLAP) is promising because it can evaluate the nanoscale forces transmitted in the polymer chain network by ratiometric analysis of a stress-dependent dual fluorescence. A flexible conformational change of FLAP enables real-time and reversible responses to the nanoscale forces at the low force threshold, which is suitable for quantifying the percentage of the stressed polymer chains before structural damage. However, the previously reported FLAP only showed a negligible response in solvated environments because undesirable spontaneous planarization occurs in the excited state, even without mechanical force. Here, we have developed a new ratiometric force probe that functions in common organogels. Replacement of the anthraceneimide units in the flapping wings with pyreneimide units largely suppresses the excited-state planarization, leading to the force probe function under wet conditions. The FLAP-doped polyurethane organogel reversibly shows a dual-fluorescence response under sub-MPa compression. Moreover, the structurally modified FLAP is also advantageous in the wide dynamic range of its fluorescence response in solvent-free elastomers, enabling clearer ratiometric fluorescence imaging of the molecular-level stress concentration during crack growth in a stretched polyurethane film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Yamakado
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shohei Saito
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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13
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Demonstration of reinforcement in polymer composite with rings penetrating the diamond-lattice network. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.124637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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14
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Hagita K, Murashima T. Molecular dynamics studies of entropic elasticity of condensed lattice networks connected with uniform functionality f = 4. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:894-904. [PMID: 35013740 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01641e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To study the linear region of entropic elasticity, we considered the simplest physical model possible and extracted the linear entropic regime by using the least squares fit and the minimum of the mean absolute error. With regard to the effect of the fluctuation of the strand length Ns, the strand length with fluctuation was set to a form proportional to (1.0 + C (R - 0.5)), where R is a uniform random number between 0 and 1 and C is the amplitude of fluctuation. This form enabled us to analytically calculate the fluctuation dependence of the elastic modulus G. To reveal the linear regions of entropic elasticity as a function of the strand length between neighboring nodes in lattices, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of condensed lattice networks with harmonic bonds without the excluded volume interactions were performed. Stress-strain curves were estimated by performing uniaxial stretching MD simulations under periodic boundary conditions with a bead number density of 0.85. First, we used a diamond lattice with functionality f = 4. The linear region of the entropic elasticity was found to become larger with the increasing number of beads in a strand Ns. For Ns = 100, the linear region had a strain of up to 8 for a regular diamond lattice. We investigated the effect of strand length fluctuation on the diamond lattice, and we confirmed that the equilibrium shear modulus G increases as the obtained analytical prediction and the linear entropic region in the stress-strain curves becomes narrower with increasing fluctuation of Ns. To investigate the difference in network topology with the same functionality f and uniform strand length Ns, we performed MD simulations on regular networks of the BC-8 structure with f = 4 prepared from the ab initio DFT calculations of carbon at high pressure. We found that the elastic behavior depends on the network connectivity (i.e., topology). This indicates that the network topology plays an important role in the emergence of nonlinearity owing to the crossover from entropic to energetic elasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsumi Hagita
- Department of Applied Physics, National Defense Academy, 1-10-20 Hashirimizu, Yokosuka 239-8686, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Murashima
- Department of Physics, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aramaki-aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
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15
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Yokoi T, Kuzuya A, Nakajima T, Kurokawa T, Gong JP, Ohya Y. Synthesis of degradable double network gels using a hydrolysable cross-linker. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00360k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Double network (DN) gels have remarkably high mechanical strength and toughness and can be potentially applied in biomedical applications such as cartilage regeneration. However, most DN gels synthesised by usual...
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16
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Zhang Y, Dou X, Zhang L, Wang H, Zhang T, Bai R, Sun Q, Wang X, Yu T, Wu D, Han B, Deng X. Facile fabrication of a biocompatible composite gel with sustained release of aspirin for bone regeneration. Bioact Mater 2021; 11:130-139. [PMID: 34938918 PMCID: PMC8665342 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are extracellular-matrix-like biomimetic materials that have wide biomedical applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. However, most hydrogels cannot simultaneously fulfill the mechanical and cell compatibility requirements. In the present study, we prepared a semi-interpenetrating network composite gel (CG) by incorporating short chain chitosan (CS) into a covalent tetra-armed poly(ethylene glycol) network. In addition to satisfying physicochemical, mechanics, biocompatibility, and cell affinity requirements, this CG easily encapsulated acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) via electrostatic interactions and chain entanglement, achieving sustained release for over 14 days and thus promoting periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. In vivo studies corroborated the capacity of PDLSCs and ASA-laden CG to enhance new bone regeneration in situ using a mouse calvarial bone defect model. This might be attributed to PDLSCs and host mesenchymal stem cells expressing monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, which upregulated M2 macrophage recruitment and polarization in situ, indicating its appealing potential in bone tissue engineering. A facile method to prepare the composite gels with advantages of easy operation, good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Composite gels can simultaneously fulfill the mechanical strength and cell-compatibility requirements. Composite gels can achieve the loading and sustained release of acetylsalicylic acid via electrostatic interaction and chain entanglement. Acetylsalicylic-acid-encapsulated composite gel is paramount to promote PDLSCs-mediated bone regeneration. The underlying mechanism might be associated with upregulation of MCP-1 and macrophage M2 polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfan Zhang
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.,National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Digital Stomatology, Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xueyu Dou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lingyun Zhang
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.,National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Digital Stomatology, Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, PR China
| | - Hufei Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.,National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Digital Stomatology, Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, PR China
| | - Rushui Bai
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.,National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Digital Stomatology, Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, PR China
| | - Qiannan Sun
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.,National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Digital Stomatology, Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xing Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Tingting Yu
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.,National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Digital Stomatology, Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, PR China
| | - Decheng Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Orthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China.,National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Digital Stomatology, Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xuliang Deng
- National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Key Laboratory for Digital Stomatology, Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, PR China.,Department of Geriatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China
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Abstract
Skin-like electronics are developing rapidly to realize a variety of applications such as wearable sensing and soft robotics. Hydrogels, as soft biomaterials, have been studied intensively for skin-like electronic utilities due to their unique features such as softness, wetness, biocompatibility and ionic sensing capability. These features could potentially blur the gap between soft biological systems and hard artificial machines. However, the development of skin-like hydrogel devices is still in its infancy and faces challenges including limited functionality, low ambient stability, poor surface adhesion, and relatively high power consumption (as ionic sensors). This review aims to summarize current development of skin-inspired hydrogel devices to address these challenges. We first conduct an overview of hydrogels and existing strategies to increase their toughness and conductivity. Next, we describe current approaches to leverage hydrogel devices with advanced merits including anti-dehydration, anti-freezing, and adhesion. Thereafter, we highlight state-of-the-art skin-like hydrogel devices for applications including wearable electronics, soft robotics, and energy harvesting. Finally, we conclude and outline the future trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Ying
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King’s College Road, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King’s College Road, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
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18
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Tough and Resilient Hydrogels Enabled by a Multifunctional Initiating and Cross-Linking Agent. Gels 2021; 7:gels7040177. [PMID: 34698196 PMCID: PMC8544387 DOI: 10.3390/gels7040177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many high-strength hydrogels have been developed in recent years; however, few of them are both tough and resilient, and their intrinsic paradoxical nature makes designing a gel with both high toughness and high resilience a great challenge. To address this problem, we introduced both N,N,N,N-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PA) and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) into polyacrylamide hydrogel networks to construct an entangled network that contains chemically cross-linked chains and branched chains simultaneously. The entanglements of branched chains can act as a physical cross-linking point to uniformly disperse stress on molecular chains, and chemical cross-linking ensures the stability of the hydrogel network. The increase in the number and length of branched chains is able to achieve an enhancement in strength while the slip of the entangled polymer chains can effectively achieve energy dissipation and can improve the toughness of the gel. Moreover, the resultant hydrogels exhibit an excellent resilience (>98%). Therefore, high toughness and resilience are achieved simultaneously. In addition, we also investigated the initiation mechanism of PA. This strategy creates a new way for the preparation of next-generation high toughness and high resilience hydrogel-based materials, which have promising applications in wearable, flexible strain/pressure sensors.
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19
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A benchmark for gel structures: bond percolation enables the fabrication of extremely homogeneous gels. Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-021-00479-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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20
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Cao Q, Wang H, Wang X, Wu D. A Versatile Crosslinking Strategy on Facile Fabrication of Fluorescent Hydrogels via
o
‐Phthalaldehyde
Ternary Condensation. CHINESE J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.202100297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingchen Cao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Hufei Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China
| | - Xing Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
| | - Decheng Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen Guangdong 518055 China
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21
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Soft-hard hybrid covalent-network polymer sponges with super resilience, recoverable energy dissipation and fatigue resistance under large deformation. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 126:112185. [PMID: 34082984 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Energy absorption or dissipation ability has been widely developed in tough hydrogels and 3D nano-structured sponges for a variety of applications. However, fully recoverable energy dissipation and fatigue resistance under large deformation is still challenging yet highly desirable. Polymer network with homogeneous chemical crosslinking structures is an efficient way to construct hydrogels with high resilience and fatigue resistance. Unfortunately, such polymer network usually has poor energy dissipation capability. In this paper, we propose a new approach to build the ability of fully recoverable energy dissipation into covalent-crosslink polymer network by integrating soft and hard chains in a uniform crosslinking network and present the one-pot synthesis method for constructing corresponding polymer sponges by low-temperature phase-separation photopolymerization. The application of such polymer sponges as a tissue engineering scaffold, fabricated by using cyclic acetal units and PEG based monomers in particular is demonstrated. For the first time, we show the feasibility of building a synthetic scaffold with the characteristics of high porosity, super compressibility and resilience, fast recovery, completely recoverable energy dissipation, high fatigue resistance, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Such a scaffold is promising in tissue engineering especially in load-bearing applications.
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22
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Wang L, Ma X, Wu L, Sha Y, Yu B, Lan X, Luo Y, Shi Y, Wang Y, Luo Z. Coumarin derivative trigger controlled photo-healing of ion gels and photo-controlled reversible adhesiveness. Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.110213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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23
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Cui W, Cai Y, Zheng Y, Ran R. Mechanical enhancement of hydrophobically associating hydrogels by solvent-regulated phase separation. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.123042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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24
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Prado RMB, Mishra S, Morgan B, Wijayapala R, Hashemnejad SM, Kundu S. Achieving High-Speed Retraction in Stretchable Hydrogels. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:40719-40727. [PMID: 32805889 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c08132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels mimicking elastomeric biopolymers such as resilin, responsible for power-amplified activities in biological species necessary for locomotion, feeding, and defense have applications in soft robotics and prosthetics. Here, we report a bioinspired hydrogel synthesized through a free-radical polymerization reaction. By maintaining a balance between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, we obtain gels with an elastic modulus as high as 100 kPa, stretchability up to 800%, and resilience up to 98%. Such properties enable these gels to catapult projectiles. Furthermore, these gels achieve a retraction velocity of 16 m s-1 with an acceleration of 4 × 103 m s-2 when released from a stretched state, and these values are comparable to those observed in many biological species during a power amplification process. By utilizing and tuning the simple synthetic strategy used here, these gels can be used in soft robotics, prosthetics, and engineered devices where power amplification is desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Badani Prado
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 323 Presidents Circle, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Satish Mishra
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 323 Presidents Circle, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Buckston Morgan
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 323 Presidents Circle, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Rangana Wijayapala
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 323 Presidents Circle, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Seyed Meysam Hashemnejad
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 323 Presidents Circle, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
| | - Santanu Kundu
- Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 323 Presidents Circle, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, United States
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25
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Ohira M, Tsuji Y, Watanabe N, Morishima K, Gilbert EP, Li X, Shibayama M. Quantitative Structure Analysis of a Near-Ideal Polymer Network with Deuterium Label by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Ohira
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Yui Tsuji
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Watanabe
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Ken Morishima
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2, Asashiro-Nishi, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
| | - Elliot P. Gilbert
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia
| | - Xiang Li
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
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26
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Tosa M, Hashimoto K, Kokubo H, Ueno K, Watanabe M. Effect of network homogeneity on mechanical, thermal and electrochemical properties of solid polymer electrolytes prepared by homogeneous 4-arm poly(ethylene glycols). SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:4290-4298. [PMID: 32309837 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00289e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mechanically tough solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are required to meet the demand for flexible and stretchable electrochemical devices for diverse applications, especially for wearable devices. It is well known that the inhomogeneity of a polymer network greatly affects its mechanical properties, but the evaluation of its effect on electrolyte properties including mechanical properties has not been accomplished yet because of the coexistence of various inhomogeneities (e.g., dangling bonds, loops, chain entanglements, and inhomogeneous distribution of cross-linking points). Herein, we discuss the effect of distribution of cross-linking densities in SPEs on its electrolyte properties by employing a model polymer network composed of a homogeneous 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (tetra-PEG) network and Li[TFSA] ([TFSA]: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide). Tetra-PEGs having different molecular weights (Mn = 5, 10, 20, and 40 kDa) are subjected to the Michael addition reaction to induce network inhomogeneity while the average cross-linking densities are matched. It was found that thermal and ion transport properties of tetra-PEG SPEs do not depend on network inhomogeneity but on the average network size, which indicates that these properties reflect the averaged thermal fluctuation of polymer chains in terms of spatial and temporal dimensions. On the other hand, the mechanical toughness was largely dependent on the network homogeneity, and fracture strain, energy, and Young's modulus decreased by introducing network inhomogeneity. Rheological measurements showed that a transient cross-linking between Li cations and oxygens of tetra-PEG as well as the homogeneous distribution of the chemical cross-linking points contribute to the excellent mechanical properties of SPEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monami Tosa
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Kei Hashimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Hisashi Kokubo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Kazuhide Ueno
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
| | - Masayoshi Watanabe
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan.
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Parrish E, Rose KA, Cargnello M, Murray CB, Lee D, Composto RJ. Nanoparticle diffusion during gelation of tetra poly(ethylene glycol) provides insight into nanoscale structural evolution. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:2256-2265. [PMID: 32031561 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02192b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Single particle tracking (SPT) of PEG grafted nanoparticles (NPs) was used to examine the gelation of tetra poly(ethylene glycol) (TPEG) succinimidyl glutarate (TPEG-SG) and amine (TPEG-A) terminated 4-armed stars. As concentration was decreased from 40 to 20 mg mL-1, the onset of network formation, tgel, determined from rheometry increased from less than 2 to 44 minutes. NP mobility increased as polymer concentration decreased in the sol state, but remained diffusive at times past the tgel determined from rheometry. Once in the gel state, NP mobility decreased, became sub-diffusive, and eventually localized in all concentrations. The NP displacement distributions were investigated to gain insight into the nanoscale environment. In these relatively homogeneous gels, the onset of sub-diffusivity was marked by a rapid increase in dynamic heterogeneity followed by a decrease consistent with a homogeneous network. We propose a gelation mechanism in which clusters initially form a heterogeneous structure which fills in to form a fully gelled relatively homogenous network. This work aims to examine the kinetics of TPEG gelation and the homogeneity of these novel gels on the nanometer scale, which will aid in the implementation of these gels in biomedical or filtration applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmabeth Parrish
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Katie A Rose
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matteo Cargnello
- Department of Chemical Engineering and SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christopher B Murray
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. and Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Russell J Composto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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28
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Zhou L, Pei X, Fang K, Zhang R, Fu J. Super tough, ultra-stretchable, and fast recoverable double network hydrogels physically crosslinked by triple non-covalent interactions. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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29
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Furuya T, Koga T. Molecular simulation of networks formed by end-linking of tetra-arm star polymers: Effects of network structures on mechanical properties. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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30
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Fuchs S, Shariati K, Ma M. Specialty Tough Hydrogels and Their Biomedical Applications. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901396. [PMID: 31846228 PMCID: PMC7586320 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels have long been explored as attractive materials for biomedical applications given their outstanding biocompatibility, high water content, and versatile fabrication platforms into materials with different physiochemical properties and geometries. Nonetheless, conventional hydrogels suffer from weak mechanical properties, restricting their use in persistent load-bearing applications often required of materials used in medical settings. Thus, the fabrication of mechanically robust hydrogels that can prolong the lifetime of clinically suitable materials under uncompromising in vivo conditions is of great interest. This review focuses on design considerations and strategies to construct such tough hydrogels. Several promising advances in the proposed use of specialty tough hydrogels for soft actuators, drug delivery vehicles, adhesives, coatings, and in tissue engineering settings are highlighted. While challenges remain before these specialty tough hydrogels will be deemed translationally acceptable for clinical applications, promising preliminary results undoubtedly spur great hope in the potential impact this embryonic research field can have on the biomedical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Fuchs
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Riley Robb Hall 322, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Kaavian Shariati
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Riley Robb Hall 322, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Minglin Ma
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Riley Robb Hall 322, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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31
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You Q, Wang P, Zhang D, Li Z, Yamaguchi Y. High‐Performance Sieving Electrophoresis for Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms with a Structuring Hydrogel Network. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201900385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiang You
- Engineering Research Centre of Optical Instrument and SystemMinistry of EducationKey Lab of Optical Instruments and Equipment for Medical EngineeringMinistry of EducationShanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical SystemUniversity of Shanghai for Science and Technology Shanghai 200093 China
- College of Optoelectronic EngineeringChangzhou Institute of Technology No.299, Tongjiangnan Road Changzhou 213002 China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryXinhua HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine 1665 Kongjiang Road Shanghai 200092 China
| | - Dawei Zhang
- Engineering Research Centre of Optical Instrument and SystemMinistry of EducationKey Lab of Optical Instruments and Equipment for Medical EngineeringMinistry of EducationShanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical SystemUniversity of Shanghai for Science and Technology Shanghai 200093 China
| | - Zhenqing Li
- Engineering Research Centre of Optical Instrument and SystemMinistry of EducationKey Lab of Optical Instruments and Equipment for Medical EngineeringMinistry of EducationShanghai Key Lab of Modern Optical SystemUniversity of Shanghai for Science and Technology Shanghai 200093 China
| | - Yoshinori Yamaguchi
- Department of Applied PhysicsGraduate School of EngineeringOsaka University Osaka 5650871 Japan
- Institute of Photonics and Bio‐Medicine (IPBM)Graduate School of ScienceEast China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
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32
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Chen W, Li N, Ma Y, Minus ML, Benson K, Lu X, Wang X, Ling X, Zhu H. Superstrong and Tough Hydrogel through Physical Cross-Linking and Molecular Alignment. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:4476-4484. [PMID: 31644270 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are attracting increasing attention due to their potential use in various fields. However, most of the existing hydrogels have limitations in either dissipating mechanical energy or maintaining high stretchability under deformation, thus do not possess high mechanical properties. Herein, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-tannic acid (TA) hydrogels with both high mechanical strength and stretchability were obtained via a step-by-step physical cross-linking and molecular alignment method. Saline-triggered physical interactions serve as "sacrifice domains" to dissipate energy and endow PVA-based hydrogel with high mechanical strength (≈16 MPa) and stretchability (≈1000%). Due to the reversible arranging and disassociating property of physical interactions, PVA-TA hydrogels show excellent shape memory performance. We further demonstrated an effective approach to fabricate strong and aligned PVA-TA thread. The resultant well-aligned PVA-TA dry thread reveals an ultrahigh mechanical tensile strength of up to 750 MPa, nearly 45 times higher than PVA-TA thread with no alignment. Wide-angle X-ray two-dimensional diffraction images further confirmed the alignment of PVA fibers in stretching direction. In addition, we applied the PVA-TA hydrogel as suture and evaluated the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the PVA-TA suture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Northeastern University , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States.,College of Engineering , Qufu Normal University , Rizhao 276826 , China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Northeastern University , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States.,College of Engineering , Qufu Normal University , Rizhao 276826 , China
| | - Yi Ma
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Northeastern University , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States
| | - Marilyn L Minus
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Northeastern University , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States
| | - Kenneth Benson
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Northeastern University , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States
| | - Xiuling Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Connecticut , Storrs , Connecticut 06269 , United States
| | - Xingzhi Wang
- Department of Chemistry , Boston University , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States
| | - Xi Ling
- Department of Chemistry , Boston University , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States
| | - Hongli Zhu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Northeastern University , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States
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33
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Guan Y, Wang L, Cui L, Shen X, Gao W, Meng J, Li D, Shen C, Zhang Y, Hu G, Liang J. Preparation and rheological investigation of tough PAAm hydrogel by adding branched polyethyleneimine. J Appl Polym Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/app.48541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yinyan Guan
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Li Wang
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Li Cui
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Xinjun Shen
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Weichun Gao
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Jing Meng
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Dan Li
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Chenguang Shen
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Yichen Zhang
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Guodong Hu
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
| | - Jiyan Liang
- School of ScienceShenyang University of Technology Shenyang 110870 China
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34
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Wang Y, Wu J, Cao Z, Ma C, Tong Q, Li J, Liu H, Zheng J, Huang G. Mechanically robust, notch-insensitive, fatigue resistant and self-recoverable hydrogels with homogeneous and viscoelastic network constructed by a novel multifunctional cross-linker. POLYMER 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.121661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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35
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Cheng Y, Ren X, Gao G, Duan L. High strength, anti-freezing and strain sensing carboxymethyl cellulose-based organohydrogel. Carbohydr Polym 2019; 223:115051. [PMID: 31427009 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The gel-based sensor was extensively investigated due to the flexible and extensible properties. Here, a flexible, excellent mechanical (fracture energy of 5238 kJ/m3) and anti-freezing ionic conductive carboxymethyl cellulose-based organohydrogel sensor was prepared via Fe3+ cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the first network and covalently cross-linked polyacrylamide as the second network in the co-solvents of water and ethylene glycol. Owing to the clipping transportation of Fe3+ in the water channels, the gel sensor had good sensitivity (GF = 1.4, 0˜30% strain) and fast strain-responsiveness (0.98 s) to monitor the subtle motions of human body. The CMC-based organohydrogel with high strain-sensitivity exhibited more potential applications of next-generation bioelectronic materials and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Cheng
- Polymeric and Soft Materials Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Life Science and Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Xiuyan Ren
- Polymeric and Soft Materials Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Life Science and Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Guanghui Gao
- Polymeric and Soft Materials Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Life Science and Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Lijie Duan
- Polymeric and Soft Materials Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Life Science and Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, PR China.
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Alamé G, Brassart L. Relative contributions of chain density and topology to the elasticity of two-dimensional polymer networks. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:5703-5713. [PMID: 31259347 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm00796b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the relationships between the structure of polymer networks and their mechanical properties is important for the design of advanced soft materials with optimal properties. However, classical rubber elasticity theories often fall short in their description of the network structure, while simulation techniques at molecular scale remain impractical at that length scale. Here we develop a computational approach based on random discrete networks, in which the polymer network is represented as an assembly of non-linear springs connected at crosslinking points. The density of elastically-effective chains, average network coordination and chain contour lengths are varied independently in order to identify their respective contributions to the network elasticity. Numerical results suggest scaling relations between network parameters and elastic properties that are markedly different from the predictions of classical rubber elasticity theories. In particular, the elastic modulus of 2D random networks is found to be independent of density at constant topology, and proportional to the average coordination at constant density. The discrepancy is due to the pre-straining of the chains in the discrete network, which is not accounted for in classical models of rubber elasticity. Our results have implications for the interpretation of experimental data for ideal network gels that are formed by the cross-coupling of macromolecular building blocks in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghadeer Alamé
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Laurence Brassart
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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37
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Yoshikawa Y, Sakumichi N, Chung UI, Sakai T. Connectivity dependence of gelation and elasticity in AB-type polymerization: an experimental comparison of the dynamic process and stoichiometrically imbalanced mixing. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:5017-5025. [PMID: 31120084 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm00696f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To control various physical properties of polymer gels, it is important to control the connection probability between functional groups of network structures (connectivity). In this study, we compare two methodologies tuning the connectivity in AB-type polymerization: one is stopping the reaction intentionally at a certain conversion, and the other is mixing two prepolymers in a stoichiometrically imbalanced ratio. By experimentally examining the relationships between elastic modulus and connectivity, we find that the relationships are almost the same for these two methodologies. However, the critical connectivity for gelation is different. These results are well reproduced by a kind of phantom network model whose structural parameters are estimated by using a mean-field approximation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yoshikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Means AK, Grunlan MA. Modern Strategies To Achieve Tissue-Mimetic, Mechanically Robust Hydrogels. ACS Macro Lett 2019; 8:705-713. [PMID: 33912358 PMCID: PMC8077972 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.9b00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are frequently used biomaterials due to their similarity in hydration and structure to biological tissues. However, their utility is limited by poor mechanical properties, namely, a lack of strength and stiffness that mimic that of tissues, particularly load-bearing tissues. Thus, numerous recent strategies have sought to enhance and tune these properties in hydrogels, including interpenetrating networks (IPNs), macromolecular cross-linking, composites, thermal conditioning, polyampholytes, and dual cross-linking. Individually, these approaches have achieved hydrogels with either high strength (σ f > 10 MPa), high stiffness (E > 1 MPa), or, less commonly, both high strength and stiffness (σ f > 10 MPa and E > 1 MPa). However, only certain unique combinations of these approaches have been able to synergistically achieve retention of a high, tissuelike water content as well as high strength and stiffness. Applying such methods to stimuli-responsive hydrogels has also produced robust, smart biomaterials. Overall, methods to achieve hydrogels that simultaneously mimic the hydration, strength, and stiffness of soft and load-bearing tissues have the potential to be used in a much broader range of biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Kristen Means
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
| | - Melissa A. Grunlan
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3120, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3120, United States
- Center for Remote Health Technologies Systems, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3120, United States
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39
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Creusen G, Roshanasan A, Garcia Lopez J, Peneva K, Walther A. Bottom-up design of model network elastomers and hydrogels from precise star polymers. Polym Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9py00731h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Well-defined high-molecular weight star polymers based on low-Tg water-soluble polymers enable bottom-up design of model network elastomers and functional hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Creusen
- A3BMS Lab – Active
- Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired Materials
- Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry
- University of Freiburg
- 79104 Freiburg
| | - Ardeshir Roshanasan
- A3BMS Lab – Active
- Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired Materials
- Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry
- University of Freiburg
- 79104 Freiburg
| | - Javier Garcia Lopez
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry
- Jena Center of Soft Matter
- Friedrich Schiller University of Jena
- 07743 Jena
- Germany
| | - Kalina Peneva
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry
- Jena Center of Soft Matter
- Friedrich Schiller University of Jena
- 07743 Jena
- Germany
| | - Andreas Walther
- A3BMS Lab – Active
- Adaptive and Autonomous Bioinspired Materials
- Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry
- University of Freiburg
- 79104 Freiburg
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40
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41
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Hashimoto K, Fujii K, Nishi K, Shibayama M. Ion Gel Network Formation in an Ionic Liquid Studied by Time-Resolved Small-Angle Neutron Scattering. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:9419-9424. [PMID: 30222353 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b08111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report the time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study of tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (TetraPEG) polymer network formation in a typical ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([C2mim][TFSA]). To observe time-dependent SANS profiles, the reaction rate for the AB-type cross-end coupling reaction of TetraPEG macromers was controlled by adding an analogous protic IL, 1-ethylimidazolium TFSA ([C2imH][TFSA]). At polymer concentrations higher than the overlap concentration ( c*), the SANS profile remained unchanged during the gelation reaction, indicating that the network structure was independent of macromer connectivity in a semidiluted solution. On the other hand, at low polymer concentrations, an increase in the SANS profile intensity was clearly observed. The correlation length (ξ), estimated by a fitting analysis based on the Ornstein-Zernike function, increased as the reaction proceeded. This result indicated that the sparsely dispersed macromers formed clusters during the cross-linking process and polymer size growth followed thereafter. We found that the network formation process and homogeneity of the network structure were strongly dependent on the polymer concentration in IL solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Hashimoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology , Yokohama National University , 79-5 Tokiwadai , Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501 , Japan
| | - Kenta Fujii
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering , Yamaguchi University , 1-16-2 Tokiwadai , Ube , Yamaguchi 755-8611 , Japan
| | - Kengo Nishi
- Institute for Solid State Physics , The University of Tokyo , 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha , Kashiwa , Chiba 277-8581 , Japan.,Third Institute of Physics-Biophysics, Faculty of Physics , Georg August University , Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1 , 37077 Göttingen , Germany
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Institute for Solid State Physics , The University of Tokyo , 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha , Kashiwa , Chiba 277-8581 , Japan
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42
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Furuya T, Yamamoto K, Koga T. Effects of Added Physical Cross-Linkers on Mechanical Properties of Polymer Networks. MACROMOL THEOR SIMUL 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/mats.201800042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Furuya
- Department of Polymer Chemistry; Graduate School of Engineering; Kyoto University; Katsura Kyoto 615-8510 Japan
| | - Keita Yamamoto
- Department of Polymer Chemistry; Graduate School of Engineering; Kyoto University; Katsura Kyoto 615-8510 Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Koga
- Department of Polymer Chemistry; Graduate School of Engineering; Kyoto University; Katsura Kyoto 615-8510 Japan
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43
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Lewis JT, Fischenich KM, Haut Donahue TL, Bailey TS. Nanostructure-Driven Replication of Soft Tissue Biomechanics in a Thermoplastic Elastomer Hydrogel. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2018; 4:3854-3863. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jackson T. Lewis
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Kristine M. Fischenich
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Tammy L. Haut Donahue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Travis S. Bailey
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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Horkay F, Nishi K, Shibayama M. Decisive test of the ideal behavior of tetra-PEG gels. J Chem Phys 2018; 146:164905. [PMID: 28456212 DOI: 10.1063/1.4982253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this work is to investigate the thermodynamic and scattering behavior of tetra-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) gels. Complementary measurements, including osmotic swelling pressure, elastic modulus, and small angle neutron scattering (SANS), are reported for a series of tetra-PEG gels made from different molecular weight precursor chains at different concentrations. Analysis of the osmotic swelling pressure vs polymer volume fraction curves makes it possible to separate the elastic and mixing contributions of the network free energy. It is shown that in tetra-PEG gels these free energy components are additive. The elastic term varies with the one-third power of the polymer volume fraction and its numerical value is equal to the shear modulus obtained from independent mechanical measurements. The mixing pressure of the cross-linked polymer is slightly smaller than that of the corresponding solution of the uncross-linked polymer of infinite molecular weight but it exhibits similar dependence on the polymer concentration. The observed deviation between the osmotic mixing pressures of the gel and the solution can be attributed to the presence of small amount of structural inhomogeneities frozen-in by the cross-links. SANS reveals that the scattering response of tetra-PEG gel is mainly governed by the thermodynamic concentration fluctuations of the network, i.e., the contribution from static inhomogeneities to the SANS signal is small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Horkay
- Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Kengo Nishi
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
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Weeber R, Hermes M, Schmidt AM, Holm C. Polymer architecture of magnetic gels: a review. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2018; 30:063002. [PMID: 29261097 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aaa344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this review article, we provide an introduction to ferrogels, i.e. polymeric gels with embedded magnetic particles. Due to the interplay between magnetic and elastic properties of these materials, they are promising candidates for engineering and biomedical applications such as actuation and controlled drug release. Particular emphasis will be put on the polymer architecture of magnetic gels since it controls the degrees of freedom of the magnetic particles in the gel, and it is important for the particle-polymer coupling determining the mechanisms available for the gel deformation in magnetic fields. We report on the different polymer architectures that have been realized so far, and provide an overview of synthesis strategies and experimental techniques for the characterization of these materials. We further focus on theoretical and simulational studies carried out on magnetic gels, and highlight their contributions towards understanding the influence of the gels' polymer architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Weeber
- Institut für Computerphysik, Universität Stuttgart, Allmandring 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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46
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Liu Z, Zhang C, Xu H, Ma X, Shi Z, Yin J. A Facile Method Synthesizing Hydrogel Using Hybranched Polyether Amine (hPEA) as Coinitiator and Crosslinker. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201700251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Liu
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix; Composite Materials; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Changxu Zhang
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix; Composite Materials; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Hongjie Xu
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix; Composite Materials; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix; Composite Materials; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Zixing Shi
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix; Composite Materials; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
| | - Jie Yin
- School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering; State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix; Composite Materials; Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Shanghai 200240 P. R. China
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47
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Xu K, Liang X, Li P, Deng Y, Pei X, Tan Y, Zhai K, Wang P. Tough, stretchable chemically cross-linked hydrogel using core – shell polymer microspheres as cross-linking junctions. POLYMER 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.04.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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48
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Luo F, Sun TL, Nakajima T, Kurokawa T, Li X, Guo H, Huang Y, Zhang H, Gong JP. Tough polyion-complex hydrogels from soft to stiff controlled by monomer structure. POLYMER 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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49
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Institute for Solid State Physics; The University of Tokyo; 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha Kashiwa Chiba 277-8581 Japan
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50
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Ishii S, Kokubo H, Hashimoto K, Imaizumi S, Watanabe M. Tetra-PEG Network Containing Ionic Liquid Synthesized via Michael Addition Reaction and Its Application to Polymer Actuator. Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shunta Ishii
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Hisashi Kokubo
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Kei Hashimoto
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Satoru Imaizumi
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Watanabe
- Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
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