Highly porous double network hydrogel having fast responding time and high mechanical strength via emulsion template polymerization

Porous polymer hydrogels with high mechanical properties and response time is such a unique coalition that may open up many new application avenues especially in biomaterials, nevertheless which is a challenging task to achieve. This work highlighted a novel yet simple approach on developing highly porous, fast swelling hydrogels having high mechanical performance by slightly twisting the traditional double network concept following emulsion template polymerization. The fabricated acrylamide hydrogel structure entails 40-70 micrometer size pores while having ultimate compressive strength of 5-7 MPa. Further, it exhibited approximately 400 wt% water absorptivity compared to the dry weight of the sample in 15 s at 30 degrees C. Such enhanced swelling properties of the developed hydrogel are due to the surface roughness of interconnected capillary channels.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel approach was used to develop highly porous, fast swelling hydrogels with high mechanical performance by slightly modifying the traditional double network concept through emulsion template polymerization. The fabricated hydrogel had 40-70 micrometer size pores and ultimate compressive strength of 5-7 MPa. It demonstrated approximately 400 wt% water absorptivity in 15 seconds at 30 degrees C, which was attributed to the surface roughness of interconnected capillary channels.