Dual Physically Cross-Linked Hydrogels Incorporating Hydrophobic Interactions with Promising Repairability and Ultrahigh Elongation

Novel dual physically cross-linked (DPC) hydrogels with great tensile strength, ultrahigh elongation, and promising repairability are designed by introducing cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) or hydrophobized CNC (CNC-C8) into polymers physically cross-linked by hydrophobic forces. C18 alkyl chain is grafted to N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide (DMAPMA) for hydrophobic monomer (DMAPMA-C18), and C8 to CNC surface for hydrophobic CNC (CNC-C8). CNC-C8 (or CNC) DPC hydrogels are synthesized, with monomers N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAc) and DMAPMA-C18 polymerized to form the first network physically cross-linked by hydrophobic interactions, on which the secondary cross-linking points are formed by hydrophobic interactions between CNC-C8 and DMAPMA-C18, electrostatic interactions between CNC-C8 (or CNC) and DMAPMA, as well as hydrogen bonding between CNC-C8 (or CNC) and DMAc. Compared with optimum CNC DPC hydrogels of the highest tensile strength (238 +/- 8 kPa), the optimum CNC-C8 DPC hydrogel with 0.0675 w/v% DMAPMA-C18 and 0.4 w/v% CNC-C8 possesses stronger tensile strength of 331 +/- 32 kPa and excellent elongation of 4268% +/- 1446% as well, demonstrating the enhanced mechanical property of the hydrogel by introduced hydrophobic interactions. In addition, such DPC hydrogel can be facilely repaired with tetrahydrofuran (THF) on the cut surfaces while retaining good tensile stress and elongation behaviors.

Automated summary

In this study, novel dual physically cross-linked (DPC) hydrogels were developed by incorporating cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) or hydrophobized CNC (CNC-C8) into polymers physically cross-linked by hydrophobic forces. The CNC-C8 DPC hydrogels demonstrated stronger tensile strength and excellent elongation compared to the optimum CNC DPC hydrogels, showcasing the enhanced mechanical properties achieved through introduced hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, these DPC hydrogels could be easily repaired with tetrahydrofuran (THF) while maintaining good tensile stress and elongation behaviors.