Journal
SOFT MATTER
Volume 8, Issue 22, Pages 6048-6056Publisher
ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
DOI: 10.1039/c2sm07233e
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Funding
- Natural Science Foundation of China [21004074, 51103172]
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Program for Ningbo Innovative Research Team [2009B21008]
- Ningbo Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials [2010A22001]
- Ningbo Natural Science Foundation [2011A610117]
- Opening Foundation of Zhejiang Provincial Top Key Discipline [100061200148]
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We have successfully developed hydrogels with high compressive toughness by reinforcing the double-network structure (PAMPS/PAAm) with grafted silica nanoparticles. Silica nanoparticles grafted with vinyl end groups were used as macro-crosslinkers to copolymerize with AMPS, yielding a nanocomposite first network. Subsequent introduction of a secondary PAAm network resulted in super-tough double-network (DN) composite hydrogels, which do not fracture upon loading up to 73 MPa and a strain above 0.98. The compressive strength, swelling behavior, and morphology of the silica-grafted DN hydrogels were investigated as functions of nanoparticle content and particle size, in comparison with silica nanoparticle-filled DN gels without covalent bonding to the polymer network. Maximal reinforcement of the DN gels was achieved at around 1 wt% (weight percent) of grafted silica nanoparticles with respect to AMPS. Unique embedded micro-network structures were observed in the silica-grafted DN gels and accounted for the substantial improvement in compressive toughness. The fracture mechanism is discussed in detail based on the yielding behavior of these covalently composited hydrogels.
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