1
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Thoma A, Amstad E. Localized Ionic Reinforcement of Double Network Granular Hydrogels. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2311092. [PMID: 38747011 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Nature produces soft materials with fascinating combinations of mechanical properties. For example, the mussel byssus embodies a combination of stiffness and toughness, a feature that is unmatched by synthetic hydrogels. Key to enabling these excellent mechanical properties are the well-defined structures of natural materials and their compositions controlled on lengths scales down to tens of nanometers. The composition of synthetic materials can be controlled on a micrometer length scale if processed into densely packed microgels. However, these microgels are typically soft. Microgels can be stiffened by enhancing interactions between particles, for example through the formation of covalent bonds between their surfaces or a second interpenetrating hydrogel network. Nonetheless, changes in the composition of these synthetic materials occur on a micrometer length scale. Here, 3D printable load-bearing granular hydrogels are introduced whose composition changes on the tens of nanometer length scale. The hydrogels are composed of jammed microgels encompassing tens of nm-sized ionically reinforced domains that increase the stiffness of double network granular hydrogels up to 18-fold. The printability of the ink and the local reinforcement of the resulting granular hydrogels are leveraged to 3D print a butterfly with composition and structural changes on a tens of nanometer length scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Thoma
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Esther Amstad
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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2
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Liu Y, Lv Z, Zhou J, Cui Z, Li W, Yu J, Chen L, Wang X, Wang M, Liu K, Wang H, Ji X, Hu S, Li J, Loh XJ, Yang H, Chen X, Wang C. Muscle-Inspired Formable Wood-Based Phase Change Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2406915. [PMID: 39096070 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202406915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Phase change materials (PCMs) are crucial for sustainable thermal management in energy-efficient construction and cold chain logistics, as they can store and release renewable thermal energy. However, traditional PCMs suffer from leakage and a loss of formability above their phase change temperatures, limiting their shape stability and versatility. Inspired by the muscle structure, formable PCMs with a hierarchical structure and solvent-responsive supramolecular networks based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/wood composites are developed. The material, in its hydrated state, demonstrates low stiffness and pliability due to the weak hydrogen bonding between aligned wood fibers and PVA molecules. Through treatment of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) into the PVA/wood PEG gel (PEG/PVA/W) with strengthened hydrogen bonds, the resulting wood-based PCMs in the hard and melting states elevate the tensile stress from 10.14 to 80.86 MPa and the stiffness from 420 MPa to 4.8 GPa, making it 530 times stiffer than the PEG/PVA counterpart. Capable of morphing in response to solvent changes, these formable PCMs enable intricate designs for thermal management. Furthermore, supported by a comprehensive life cycle assessment, these shape-adaptable, recyclable, and biodegradable PCMs with lower environmental footprint present a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics and thermal management materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Zhisheng Lv
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Jiazuo Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Zequn Cui
- Innovative Centre for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Wenlong Li
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Jing Yu
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS), Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 636921, Singapore
| | - Lixun Chen
- Innovative Centre for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Kunyang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Xinyao Ji
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Senwei Hu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Xian Jun Loh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Singapore
| | - Haiyue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Innovative Centre for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck-NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS), Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 636921, Singapore
| | - Chengyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P. R. China
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3
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Tian Y, Wang Z, Cao S, Liu D, Zhang Y, Chen C, Jiang Z, Ma J, Wang Y. Connective tissue inspired elastomer-based hydrogel for artificial skin via radiation-indued penetrating polymerization. Nat Commun 2024; 15:636. [PMID: 38245537 PMCID: PMC10799914 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44949-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Robust hydrogels offer a candidate for artificial skin of bionic robots, yet few hydrogels have a comprehensive performance comparable to real human skin. Here, we present a general method to convert traditional elastomers into tough hydrogels via a unique radiation-induced penetrating polymerization method. The hydrogel is composed of the original hydrophobic crosslinking network from elastomers and grafted hydrophilic chains, which act as elastic collagen fibers and water-rich substances. Therefore, it successfully combines the advantages of both elastomers and hydrogels and provides similar Young's modulus and friction coefficients to human skin, as well as better compression and puncture load capacities than double network and polyampholyte hydrogels. Additionally, responsive abilities can be introduced during the preparation process, granting the hybrid hydrogels shape adaptability. With these unique properties, the hybrid hydrogel can be a candidate for artificial skin, fluid flow controller, wound dressing layer and many other bionic application scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhihao Wang
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuiyan Cao
- College of Physics, MIIT Key Laboratory of Aerospace Information Materials and Physics, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neutron Physics and Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, 621999, Sichuan, China
| | - Yukun Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chong Chen
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiwen Jiang
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, Jiangsu, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Jun Ma
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, Jiangsu, China.
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, Anhui, China.
| | - Yunlong Wang
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, Jiangsu, China.
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4
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Zhang T, Lv H, Zhang Y, Yu L, Li Y, Yan H, He C, Zhao D, Zhao L, He Y, Wang Y, Zhu Z. Long-lasting anti-swelling sustained-release estradiol hydrogel for promoting vaginal wound healing. MATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 5:5644-5657. [DOI: 10.1039/d4ma00173g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2024]
Abstract
This study presents a mechanically robust and stable poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA)/alginate hydrogel loaded with estrogen. The hydrogel significantly promotes vaginal wound healing in a rat vaginal loss model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyue Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Hongyi Lv
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of the Evaluation and Monitoring of Southwest Land Resources (Ministry of Education), Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610068, China
| | - Yijing Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lingyun Yu
- The People's Hospital of Wenjaing Chengdu, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yonghong Li
- The People's Hospital of Wenjaing Chengdu, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Hechun Yan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chenyan He
- Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610068, China
| | - Dongmei Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of the Evaluation and Monitoring of Southwest Land Resources (Ministry of Education), Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610068, China
| | - Yuedong He
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of the Evaluation and Monitoring of Southwest Land Resources (Ministry of Education), Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, 610068, China
| | - Zhongyi Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, 610041, China
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5
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Li M, Lu H, Pi M, Zhou H, Wang Y, Yan B, Cui W, Ran R. Water-Induced Phase Separation for Anti-Swelling Hydrogel Adhesives in Underwater Soft Electronics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2304780. [PMID: 37750254 PMCID: PMC10646223 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The development of hydrogel-based underwater electronics has gained significant attention due to their flexibility and portability compared to conventional rigid devices. However, common hydrogels face challenges such as swelling and poor underwater adhesion, limiting their practicality in water environments. Here, a water-induced phase separation strategy to fabricate hydrogels with enhanced anti-swelling properties and underwater adhesion is presented. By leveraging the contrasting affinity of different polymer chains to water, a phase-separated structure with rich hydrophobic and dilute hydrophilic polymer phases is achieved. This dual-phase structure, meticulously characterized from the macroscopic to the nanoscale, confers the hydrogel network with augmented retractive elastic forces and facilitates efficient water drainage at the gel-substrate interface. As a result, the hydrogel exhibits remarkable swelling resistance and long-lasting adhesion to diverse substrates. Additionally, the integration of carboxylic multiwalled carbon nanotubes into the hydrogel system preserves its anti-swelling and adhesion properties while imparting superior conductivity. The conductive phase-separated hydrogel exhibited great potential in diverse underwater applications, including sensing, communication, and energy harvesting. This study elucidates a facile strategy for designing anti-swelling underwater adhesives by leveraging the ambient solvent effect, which is expected to offer some insights for the development of next-generation adhesive soft materials tailored for aqueous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Honglang Lu
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Menghan Pi
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Hui Zhou
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Yufei Wang
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Bin Yan
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Wei Cui
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
| | - Rong Ran
- College of Polymer Science and EngineeringSichuan UniversityChengdu610065China
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6
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Xu X, Eatmon YL, Christie KSS, McGaughey AL, Guillomaitre N, Datta SS, Ren ZJ, Arnold C, Priestley RD. Tough and Recyclable Phase-Separated Supramolecular Gels via a Dehydration-Hydration Cycle. JACS AU 2023; 3:2772-2779. [PMID: 37885595 PMCID: PMC10598558 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are compelling materials for emerging applications including soft robotics and autonomous sensing. Mechanical stability over an extensive range of environmental conditions and considerations of sustainability, both environmentally benign processing and end-of-life use, are enduring challenges. To make progress on these challenges, we designed a dehydration-hydration approach to transform soft and weak hydrogels into tough and recyclable supramolecular phase-separated gels (PSGs) using water as the only solvent. The dehydration-hydration approach led to phase separation and the formation of domains consisting of strong polymer-polymer interactions that are critical for forming PSGs. The phase-separated segments acted as robust, physical cross-links to strengthen PSGs, which exhibited enhanced toughness and stretchability in its fully swollen state. PSGs are not prone to overswelling or severe shrinkage in wet conditions and show environmental tolerance in harsh conditions, e.g., solutions with pH between 1 and 14. Finally, we demonstrate the use of PSGs as strain sensors in air and aqueous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Xu
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Yannick L. Eatmon
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Kofi S. S. Christie
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
- Andlinger
Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Allyson L. McGaughey
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
- Andlinger
Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Néhémie Guillomaitre
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Sujit S. Datta
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
- Andlinger
Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Craig Arnold
- Department
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Rodney D. Priestley
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
- Princeton
Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
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7
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Gao Y, Chen J, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Jia X, Da X, Gao G, Xi K, Ding S. Phase-Separated Dielectric Gels Based on Christiansen Effect. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2208156. [PMID: 36864588 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202208156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Phase separation is a trivial phenomenon but a mature strategy in materials science. The flexible materials are provided toughness and strength by phase separation, yet there are few applications in optics and electronics industry. A novel phase-separated dielectric gel (PSDG) with a strong Christiansen effect is prepared via radical polymerization using hydroxyethyl methacrylate as a monomer, 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl and tributyl citrate as mixed solvents, and polyethylene glycol as a softener. The solvent ratios and ambient conditions can efficiently change the color of PSDG which makes it strongly selective for the wavelength of transmitted light. Besides, it has a high dielectric constant (10 at 1 kHz), sensitively responding to the electric field. The phase separation degree of PSDG varies with applied electric field, which will induce its transmittance alteration accordingly. The current field sensitive PSDG provides a novel idea for "smart windows". Additionally, varying the size and shape of the electrodes can precisely control the phase separation in PSDG and also enables the function of free writing on flexible materials. Therefore, the designed PSDG has great application potential for flexible touch and interesting interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Gao
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Yuanjun Zhao
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Xin Jia
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Da
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Guoxin Gao
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Kai Xi
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Shujiang Ding
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 710049, Xi'an, P. R. China
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8
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Zhou Y, Jin L. Mechanics Underpinning Phase Separation of Hydrogels. Macromolecules 2023; 56:426-439. [PMID: 36711110 PMCID: PMC9879212 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper reveals the underpinning role of mechanical constraints and dynamic loading in triggering volume phase transitions and phase separation of hydrogels. Using the Flory-Rehner free energy that does not predict phase separation of hydrogels under equilibrium free swelling, we show that mechanical constraints can lead to coexistence of multiple phases. We systematically obtain the states of equilibrium for hydrogels under various mechanical constraints and unravel how mechanical constraints change the convexity of the free energy and monotonicity of the stress-stretch curves, leading to phase coexistence. Using a phase-field model, we predict the pattern evolution of phase coexistence and show that many features cannot be captured by the homogeneous states of equilibrium due to large mismatch stretch between the coexisting phases. We further reveal that the system size, quenching rate, and loading rate can significantly influence the phase behavior, which provides insights for experimental studies related to morphological patterns of hydrogels.
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9
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Li M, Lu H, Wang X, Wang Z, Pi M, Cui W, Ran R. Regulable Mixed-Solvent-Induced Phase Separation in Hydrogels for Information Encryption. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2205359. [PMID: 36333111 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The rapid progress of information technology is accompanied by plenty of information embezzlement and forgery, but developing advanced encryption technologies to ensure information security remains challenging. Phase separation commonly leads to a dramatic change in the transmittance of hydrophilic polymer networks, which is a potential method for information security but is often neglected. Here, taking the polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel system as a typical example, facilely adjustable information encryption and decryption via its regulable phase separation process in ethanol/water mixed solvent, are reported. By controlling the osmotic pressure of the external and internal environment, it is demonstrated that the diffusion coefficient during deswelling and reswelling, as well as the corresponding change of transmittance of the gel, can be well controlled. Relatively high osmotic pressure leads to rapid phase separation of the initial gel but slow phase remixing of the phase-separated gel, opening the opportunity of applying the gel as a reversible information encryption device. As proof-of-concept demonstrations, several stable and reversible information encryption and decryption systems by making use of the phase separation process of the gels are designed, which are expected to inspire the development of next-generation soft devices for information technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Honglang Lu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Zhisen Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Menghan Pi
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Wei Cui
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
| | - Rong Ran
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, P. R. China
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10
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High-strength, tough, and anti-swelling Schiff base hydrogels with fluorescent encryption writing, solvent response and double shape memory functions. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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11
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Ishikawa S, Yoshikawa Y, Kamata H, Chung UI, Sakai T. Simple Preparation of Injectable Hydrogels with Phase-Separated Structures That Can Encapsulate Live Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:35444-35453. [PMID: 35881883 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c09906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Injectable hydrogels are biomaterials that can be administered minimally invasively in liquid form and are considered promising artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) materials. However, ordinary injectable hydrogels are synthesized from water-soluble molecules to ensure injectability, resulting in non-phase-separated structures, making them structurally different from natural ECMs with phase-separated insoluble structural proteins, such as collagen and elastin. Here, we propose a simple material design approach to impart phase-separated structures to injectable hydrogels by adding inorganic salts. Injecting a gelling solution of mutually cross-linkable tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol)s with potassium sulfate at optimal concentrations results in the formation of a hydrogel with phase-separated structures in situ. These phase-separated structures provide up to an 8-fold increase in fracture toughness while allowing the encapsulation of live mouse chondrogenic cells without compromising their proliferative activity. Our findings highlight that the concentration of inorganic salts is an important design parameter in injectable hydrogels for artificial ECMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Ishikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yuki Yoshikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kamata
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ung-Il Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
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Qiu C, Sun W, Wang T, Tong Z. Phase separation of chemically crosslinked poly(n-butyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) in mixtures of N,N-dimethyl formamide and water. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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Zhang X, Xiang J, Hong Y, Shen L. Recent Advances in Design Strategies of Tough Hydrogels. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200075. [PMID: 35436378 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are a fascinating class of materials popular in numerous fields, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, soft robotics, and sensors, attributed to their 3D network porous structure containing a significant amount of water. However, traditional hydrogels exhibit poor mechanical strength, limiting their practical applications. Thus, many researchers have focused on the development of mechanically enhanced hydrogels. This review describes the design considerations for constructing tough hydrogels and some of the latest strategies in recent years. These tough hydrogels have an up-and-coming prospect and bring great hope to the fields of biomedicine and others. Nonetheless, it is still no small challenge to realize hydrogel materials that are tough, multifunctional, intelligent, and zero-defect. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojia Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200, Road Cailun, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jinxi Xiang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200, Road Cailun, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yanlong Hong
- Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Health Services, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lan Shen
- School of Pharmacy, 1200, Road Cailun, Pudong District, Shanghai, 201203, China
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Wang J, Qu J, Liu Y, Wang S, Liu X, Chen Y, Qi P, Miao G, Liu X. “Crocodile skin” ultra-tough, rapidly self-recoverable, anti-dry, anti-freezing, MoS2-based ionic organohydrogel as pressure sensors. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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15
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Cao J, Wu X, Wang L, Shao G, Qin B, Wang Z, Wang T, Fu Y. A cellulose-based temperature sensitivity molecular imprinted hydrogel for specific recognition and enrichment of paclitaxel. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 181:1231-1242. [PMID: 34022304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A microcrystalline cellulose-based temperature sensitivity paclitaxel molecular imprinted hydrogel (MCC-TSMIHs-PTX) was successfully prepared by temperature-sensitive monomer N-isopropylacrylamide, functional monomer 4-vinylpyridine, cross-linking agent N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide and microcrystalline cellulose. They showed imprinting effective responses to the temperature changes. The results of adsorption kinetics, adsorption equilibrium, thermodynamics, selectivity and reusability showed the successful formation of a grafting thermosensitivity hydrogel with higher adsorption capacity and specific recognition. When the temperature reached 308 K, imprinting effect of hydrogel cavities would be most effective and conducive to capture template molecules. When the temperature reached 288 K, the lowest imprinting effect would facilitate the desorption of PTX. Finally, the MCC-TSMIHs-PTX was applied to enrich the paclitaxel in Taxus × media extracts samples, the relative contents of PTX in the samples were increased greatly from 7.23% to 78.32%, indicating the MCC-TSMIHs-PTX was a stable adsorption capacity for efficient separation and enrichment of PTX in Taxus × media extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingsong Cao
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; The college of chemistry, chemical engineering and resource utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Xiaodan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; The college of chemistry, chemical engineering and resource utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Litao Wang
- The College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, 100083 Beijing, PR China
| | - Guansong Shao
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; The college of chemistry, chemical engineering and resource utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Bingyang Qin
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; The college of chemistry, chemical engineering and resource utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; The college of chemistry, chemical engineering and resource utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Tao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; The college of chemistry, chemical engineering and resource utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China
| | - Yujie Fu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; The college of chemistry, chemical engineering and resource utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, PR China; The College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, 100083 Beijing, PR China.
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