Synthesis and mechanical strength of a novel double network nanocomposite hydrogel with core-shell structure

A novel poly[(dimethylimino)(2-hydroxy-1,3-propanedily)chloride]/Laponite/polyacrylic acid (PDMIHPC/Clay/PAA) hydrogel was synthesized by two-step solution polymerization combining the strategies of both nanocomposite (NC) gels and double network (DN) gels. The chemical composition and core-shell structure of the hydrogels were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical strength was examined by varying the reaction temperature, PDMIHPC/Clay composite dose, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAM) dose and water content. When the reaction temperature was 35 degrees C, PDMIHPC/Clay composite/AA is 1:10 and MBAM dose was 0.050 wt% (based on the weight of AA), the novel hydrogel achieved a best compressive strength of 100.05 KPa with a water content of 98.8%. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.