Journal
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
Volume 13, Issue 18, Pages 21703-21713Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c01279
Keywords
catechol; chitosan; elastomer; diatom; adhesion
Funding
- National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) - Korea government (MSIT) [NRF2018R1A5A1025208]
- KAIST Corona Response Science and Technology New Deal Research Project [MCM-2020-N11200215]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The study reports the conversion of hydrogel to elastomer using natural porous particles called diatom frustule silica, resulting in a hybrid gel with reversible compressibility and high stretchability. The hybrid composite gel demonstrated potential therapeutic applications for pressure-induced ulcers.
The addition of particles during the sol-to-gel conversion process generally enhances the mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels. However, the impact of the addition of porous particles during such a process remains an open question. Herein, we report hydrogel-to-elastomer conversions by natural porous particles called diatom frustule silica, namely, Melosira nummuloides. The surface pores provide mechanical interlocking points for polymers that are reinforced by gelation. The most critical aspect when choosing polymeric materials is the presence of water-resistant adhesion moieties, such as catechol, along a polymer chain, such as chitosan. Without catechol, no sol-to-gel conversion is observed; thus, no elastomeric hydrogel is produced. The resulting hybrid gel reveals reversible compressibility up to a 60% strain and high stretchability even up to similar to 400% in area. Further, in vivo study demonstrates that the hybrid composite gel can be used as a therapeutic for pressure-induced ulcers. The synergy of chemical adhesion and physical chain entanglement via pores provides a way to fabricate a new class of 100% water-based elastomeric materials.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available