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Electric field-induced gradient strength in nanocomposite hydrogel through gradient crosslinking of clay.
- Source :
- Journal of Materials Chemistry B; 6/7/2015, Vol. 3 Issue 21, p4426-4430, 5p
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- In this paper, mechanically strong organic–inorganic nanocomposite (NC) gradient hydrogels were successfully prepared by the in situ polymerization of acrylamide (Am) and N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) using an electrophoresis method. Due to its specific colloidal properties, LAPONITE® showed directional movement in direct-current (DC) electric field and thus formed a gradient distribution in the hydrogel. The concentration gradient of LAPONITE® was characterized by UV-vis absorption, FTIR and TGA. The network structures of lyophilized gradient hydrogels were observed from SEM images. The TEM morphology indicated that LAPONITE® had a good gradient dispersion in the NC gradient hydrogel. As a physical crosslinker, LAPONITE® can regulate the cross-linking density of the hydrogel, thus affecting its mechanical properties. The NC gradient hydrogel exhibited a high mechanical strength (a gradient tensile strength ranging from 43.4 to 135.3 kPa and a gradient compression strength ranging from 116 kPa to 1100 kPa, depending on the distance from the anode). This work provided a facile method to develop NC gradient hydrogels with improved mechanical performance. The NC gradient hydrogels can be used as potential candidates in the field of biological and chemical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2050750X
- Volume :
- 3
- Issue :
- 21
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Materials Chemistry B
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 102783078
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1039/c5tb00506j