ACS Materials Letters,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
6(4), P. 1140 - 1150
Published: Feb. 26, 2024
Conductive
organohydrogels
with
flexibility
and
biocompatibility
have
attracted
extensive
attention
in
bioelectronic
devices.
However,
poor
mechanical
properties
crack
propagation
resistance
severely
limited
their
applications.
Herein,
strong,
tough,
ionically
conductive
organogels
(ICOs)
outstanding
fatigue
are
prepared
based
on
simultaneous
construction
of
dense
cross-linked
polymer
network
numerous
crystalline
domains
during
the
solvent
exchange.
ICOs
show
excellent
tensile
strength
elongation
at
break
as
high
16.7
±
0.9
MPa
1112.4
120.3%,
respectively.
Moreover,
fracture
energy
threshold
can
reach
34.0
4.7
KJ/m2
561.3
59.6
J/m2,
respectively,
exhibiting
resistant
properties.
antifreezing
performance
used
for
strain
sensing
a
linear
working
up
to
80%
superior
cycling
stability,
ICO
sensor
monitor
various
body
motions.
The
mechanically
strong
antifatigue
promising
applications
flexible
smart
electronics
even
extreme
environments.
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
36(25)
Published: March 22, 2024
Abstract
Recently,
hydrogel‐based
soft
materials
have
demonstrated
huge
potential
in
robotics,
flexible
electronics
as
well
artificial
skins.
Although
various
methods
are
developed
to
prepare
tough
and
strong
hydrogels,
it
is
still
challenging
simultaneously
enhance
the
strength
toughness
of
especially
for
protein‐based
hydrogels.
Herein,
a
biomimetic
“salting
out—alignment—locking”
tactic
(SALT)
introduced
enhancing
mechanical
properties
through
synergy
alignment
salting
out
effect.
As
typical
example,
tensile
modulus
initially
brittle
gelatin
hydrogels
increase
940
folds
10.12
±
0.50
MPa
2830
34.26
3.94
MPa,
respectively,
increases
up
1785
14.28
3.13
MJ
m
−3
.
The
obtained
hold
records
previously
reported
gelatin‐based
hydrogel
close
tendons.
It
further
elucidated
that
effect
engenders
hydrophobic
domains,
while
prestretching
facilitates
chain
alignment,
both
synergistically
contributing
outstanding
properties.
noteworthy
SALT
demonstrates
remarkable
versatility
across
different
salt
types
polymer
systems,
thus
opening
new
avenues
engineering
strong,
tough,
stiff
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
36(6)
Published: Nov. 8, 2023
Abstract
Gel
materials
are
appealing
due
to
their
diverse
applications
in
biomedicine,
soft
electronics,
sensors,
and
actuators.
Nevertheless,
the
existing
synthetic
gels
often
plagued
by
feeble
network
structures
inherent
defects
associated
with
solvents,
which
compromise
mechanical
load‐bearing
capacity
cast
persistent
doubts
about
reliability.
Herein,
combined
attractive
deep
eutectic
solvent
(DES),
a
stepwise‐enhanced
strategy
is
presented
fabricate
ultrarobust
eutectogels.
It
focuses
on
continuous
modulation
optimization
of
polymer
networks
through
complementary
annealing
exchange
processes,
drives
progressive
increase
both
quantity
mass
interconnected
chains
at
microscopic
scale,
hence
contributing
evolutionary
enhancement
structure.
The
resultant
eutectogel
exhibits
superb
properties,
including
record‐breaking
strength
(31.8
MPa),
toughness
(76.0
MJ
m
−3
),
Young's
modulus
(25.6
together
exceptional
resistance
ability
tear
crack
propagation.
Moreover,
this
able
be
further
programmed
photolithography
situ
create
patterned
for
imparting
specific
functionalities.
Enhanced
its
broad
applicability
various
DES
combinations,
poised
serve
as
crucial
template
methodology
future
development
robust
gels.
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
36(11)
Published: Nov. 28, 2023
Abstract
Wet‐adhesive
hydrogels
have
been
developed
as
an
attractive
strategy
for
tissue
repair.
However,
achieving
simultaneously
low
swelling
and
high
burst
pressure
tolerance
of
wet‐adhesive
is
crucial
in
vivo
application
which
remains
challenges.
Herein,
a
novel
super‐structured
porous
hydrogel
(denoted
PVA/PAAc‐N
+
)
designed
via
facile
moisture‐induced
phase
separation‐solvent
exchange
process
obtaining
polyvinyl
alcohol
(PVA)
dissipative
layer
situ
photocuring
technology
entangling
quaternary
ammonium‐functionalized
poly(acrylic
acid)‐based
(PAAc‐N
with
the
surface
PVA
layer.
Benefitting
from
ionic
crosslinking
between
ammonium
ions
carboxylate
PAAc‐N
well
crystallinity
induced
by
abundant
hydrogen
bonds
layer,
has
unique
ultralow
property
(0.29)
without
sacrificing
adhesion
strength
(63.1
kPa).
The
structure
facilitates
mechanical
interlock
at
interface
tough
leading
to
ultrahigh
up
493
mm
Hg
effective
repair
porcine
heart
rupture;
can
prevent
postoperative
adhesion.
By
integrating
swelling,
tolerance,
anti‐postoperative
properties,
shows
appealing
prospect
Nano Letters,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
24(12), P. 3826 - 3834
Published: March 18, 2024
Lightweight,
easily
processed,
and
durable
polymeric
materials
play
a
crucial
role
in
wearable
sensor
devices.
However,
achieving
simultaneously
high
strength
toughness
remains
challenge.
This
study
addresses
this
by
utilizing
an
ion-specific
effect
to
control
crystalline
domains,
enabling
the
fabrication
of
triboelectric
material
with
tunable
mechanical
properties.
The
dense
crystal-domain
cross-linking
enhances
energy
dissipation,
resulting
boasting
both
tensile
(58.0
MPa)
(198.8
MJ
m–3),
alongside
remarkable
416.7%
fracture
elongation
545.0
MPa
modulus.
Leveraging
these
properties,
is
successfully
integrated
into
self-powered
devices,
real-time
feedback
on
human
joint
movement.
work
presents
valuable
strategy
for
overcoming
strength-toughness
trade-off
materials,
paving
way
their
enhanced
applicability
broader
use
diverse
sensing
applications.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
34(21)
Published: Jan. 4, 2024
Abstract
Hydrogels
are
made
tough
to
resist
crack
propagation.
However,
for
seamless
integration
into
devices
and
machines,
it
necessitates
robustness
against
cyclic
loads.
Central
this
objective
is
enhancing
fatigue
resistance,
an
indispensable
attribute
facilitating
the
optimal
performance
of
hydrogels
within
a
multitude
biological
contexts,
spanning
various
plant
animal
tissues,
as
well
diverse
biomedical
engineering
areas.
In
review,
recent
research
concerning
behavior
hydrogels,
presenting
comprehensive
consolidation
inherent
mechanisms
that
underpin
strategies
aimed
at
fortifying
summarized.
A
critical
facet
in
architectural
blueprint
fatigue‐resistant
emphasized,
involving
imposition
spatial
constraints
upon
main
chains
tips,
thereby
effectuating
protracted
delay
their
fracture
initiation
during
prolonged
loading.
The
multiscale
encompassing
networks,
interactions,
media,
structures
stands
pivotal
factor
design
hydrogels.
It
hoped
review
will
considerably
propel
pragmatic
deployment
across
array
applications,
thus
catalyzing
advancements
multiple
fields.
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: July 10, 2024
Abstract
Supramolecular
hydrogels
are
typically
assembled
through
weak
non‐covalent
interactions,
posing
a
significant
challenge
in
achieving
ultra
strength.
Developing
higher
strength
based
on
molecular/nanoscale
engineering
concepts
is
potential
improvement
strategy.
Herein,
super‐tough
supramolecular
hydrogel
by
gradually
diffusing
lignosulfonate
sodium
(LS)
into
polyvinyl
alcohol
(PVA)
solution.
Both
simulations
and
analytical
results
indicate
that
the
assembly
subsequent
enhancement
of
crosslinked
network
primarily
attributed
to
LS‐induced
formation
gradual
densification
strong
crystalline
domains
within
hydrogel.
The
optimized
exhibits
impressive
mechanical
properties
with
tensile
≈20
MPa,
Young's
modulus
≈14
toughness
≈50
MJ
m⁻
3
,
making
it
strongest
lignin‐PVA/polymer
known
so
far.
Moreover,
LS
provides
excellent
low‐temperature
stability
(<‐60
°C),
antibacterial,
UV‐blocking
capability
(≈100%).
Interestingly,
diffusion
ability
demonstrated
for
self‐restructuring
damaged
hydrogel,
3D
patterning
surfaces,
enhancing
local
freeze‐thaw
PVA
goal
foster
versatile
platform
combining
eco‐friendly
biocompatible
PVA,
paving
way
innovation
interdisciplinarity
biomedicine,
materials,
forestry
science.
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
36(23)
Published: Feb. 23, 2024
Abstract
Hydrogels
possess
unique
features
such
as
softness,
wetness,
responsiveness,
and
biocompatibility,
making
them
highly
suitable
for
biointegrated
applications
that
have
close
interactions
with
living
organisms.
However,
conventional
man‐made
hydrogels
are
usually
soft
brittle,
inferior
to
the
mechanically
robust
biological
hydrogels.
To
ensure
reliable
durable
operation
of
wearable
implantable
devices,
mechanical
matching
shape
adaptivity
tissues
organs
essential.
Recent
advances
in
polymer
science
processing
technologies
enabled
engineering
shaping
various
applications.
In
this
review,
network
structuring
strategies
at
micro/nanoscales
toughening
summarized,
representative
functionalities
exist
materials
but
not
easily
achieved
synthetic
further
discussed.
Three
categories
technologies,
namely,
3D
printing,
spinning,
coating
fabrication
tough
hydrogel
constructs
complex
shapes
reviewed,
corresponding
also
highlighted.
These
developments
enable
adaptive
functional
promote
application
fields
biomedical
engineering,
bioelectronics,
robotics.