Issue 21, 2015

Electric field-induced gradient strength in nanocomposite hydrogel through gradient crosslinking of clay

Abstract

In this paper, mechanically strong organic–inorganic nanocomposite (NC) gradient hydrogels were successfully prepared by the in situ polymerization of acrylamide (Am) and N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) using an electrophoresis method. Due to its specific colloidal properties, LAPONITE® showed directional movement in direct-current (DC) electric field and thus formed a gradient distribution in the hydrogel. The concentration gradient of LAPONITE® was characterized by UV-vis absorption, FTIR and TGA. The network structures of lyophilized gradient hydrogels were observed from SEM images. The TEM morphology indicated that LAPONITE® had a good gradient dispersion in the NC gradient hydrogel. As a physical crosslinker, LAPONITE® can regulate the cross-linking density of the hydrogel, thus affecting its mechanical properties. The NC gradient hydrogel exhibited a high mechanical strength (a gradient tensile strength ranging from 43.4 to 135.3 kPa and a gradient compression strength ranging from 116 kPa to 1100 kPa, depending on the distance from the anode). This work provided a facile method to develop NC gradient hydrogels with improved mechanical performance. The NC gradient hydrogels can be used as potential candidates in the field of biological and chemical materials.

Graphical abstract: Electric field-induced gradient strength in nanocomposite hydrogel through gradient crosslinking of clay

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 Mar 2015
Accepted
26 Apr 2015
First published
27 Apr 2015

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015,3, 4426-4430

Electric field-induced gradient strength in nanocomposite hydrogel through gradient crosslinking of clay

Y. Tan, R. Wu, H. Li, W. Ren, J. Du, S. Xu and J. Wang, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, 3, 4426 DOI: 10.1039/C5TB00506J

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