Crack Tip Field of a Double-Network Gel: Visualization of Covalent Bond Scission through Mechanoradical Polymerization

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01485
• Publication Date: 2020-09-25T15:22:14Z
• Authors: Takahiro Matsuda; Runa Kawakami; Tasuku Nakajima; Jian Ping Gong
• Keywords: Bond cleavage; Stress field

Quantitative characterization of the energy dissipation zone around a crack tip is focal point in fracture mechanics soft materials. In this report, we present mechanochemical technique for visualization and quantification degree polymer strand scission damage tough double-network hydrogels. This uses mechanoradicals generated by covalent bond to initiate radical polymerization, which records internal fracturing during opening or propagation. We adopted mechanoradical polymerization N-isopropylacrylamide, forms thermoresponsive whose distribution was visualized using an environment-responsive fluorescent probe. Two- three-dimensional distributions were captured laser scanning confocal microscope. also allowed quantitative estimation spatial stress, strain, tip. The advantages limitations are discussed.