Simultaneous Enhancement of Stiffness and Toughness in Hybrid Double-Network Hydrogels via the First, Physically Linked Network

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b01938
• Publication Date: 2015-10-28T10:19:53Z
• Authors: Qiang Chen; Dandan Wei; Hong Chen; Lin Zhu; Caicai Jiao; Ge Liu; Lina Huang; Jia Yang; Libo Wang; Jie Zheng
• Keywords: Polyacrylamide

Combining both chemical and physical cross-links in a double-network hydrogel (DN gel) has emerged as promising design strategy to obtain highly mechanically strong hydrogels. Unlike chemically cross-linked DN gels, little is known about the fracture process toughening mechanisms of hybrid physically linked gels. In this work, we engineered tough gels agar/polyacrylamide (Agar/PAAm) by combining two types polymer networks: linked, first agar network chemical-linked, second PAAm network. The resulting Agar/PAAm exhibited high stiffness 313 kPa toughness 1089 J/m2. We then specifically examined effect on mechanical properties found that controlling concentrations above critical value, can simultaneously enhance evidenced linear relationship elastic modulus tearing energies increase concentration. This behavior different from Complement work provides view for new stiff hydrogels using networks.