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Fracture Toughness and Blocking Force of Temperature-Sensitive PolyNIPAAm and Alginate Hybrid Gels

Authors :
Yong-Woo Kim
Do Yoon Kim
Jeong-Yun Sun
Source :
Gels, Vol 8, Iss 5, p 324 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

In the field of actuator materials, hydrogels that undergo large volume changes in response to external stimuli have been developed for a variety of promising applications. However, most conventional hydrogels are brittle and therefore rupture when they are stretched to moderate strains (~50%). Thus, gels to be used for actuators still require improved mechanical properties and actuation performance. In this study, we synthesized a tough and thermo-sensitive hydrogel with a large actuation force by forming interpenetrating networks between covalently crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and ionically crosslinked alginate. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was used as a thermo-sensitive actuation material, and alginate was found to enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. Due to the enhanced elastic modulus and energy dissipation in the hybrid gel, the toughness was increased by a factor of 60 over that of pure PNIPAAm gel. Further, based on the results showing that the hybrid gel exhibits an actuation force that is seven times higher than that of pure PNIPAAm gel, the hybrid gel is more applicable to real actuators.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23102861
Volume :
8
Issue :
5
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Gels
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.24d06c6cc614391a065ef9efac5bb19
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8050324