In Situ Preparation of Mechanically Enhanced Hydrogel via Dispersion Polymerization in Aqueous Solution

Hydrogels with improved mechanical properties can expand to a greater range of applications. The fabrication of conventional toughened hydrogels typically requires precise modifications, multiple components, and complex steps. Here, a straightforward one-step polymerization method for the in situ preparation of hydrogels in aqueous solutions, is reported. Inspired by polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), water-miscible monomers are copolymerized during the hydrogel fabrication; the growing blocks eventually form physical bridges thus providing a mechanism for effective energy dissipation. The rheological and mechanical properties are evaluated and the results reveal that this strategy can be an effective approach to design mechanically enhanced hydrogels for a wide range of applications.

Automated summary

This study reports a simple one-step polymerization method for in situ preparation of hydrogels in aqueous solutions, where water-miscible monomers are copolymerized to enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. This strategy provides an effective approach to design mechanically enhanced hydrogels for a wide range of applications.