This title appears in the Scientific Report :
2017
Please use the identifier:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00319 in citations.
Please use the identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/14348 in citations.
Tough Supramolecular Hydrogel Based on Strong Hydrophobic Interactions in a Multiblock Segmented Copolymer
Tough Supramolecular Hydrogel Based on Strong Hydrophobic Interactions in a Multiblock Segmented Copolymer
We report the preparation and structural and mechanical characterization of a tough supramolecular hydrogel, based exclusively on hydrophobic association. The system consists of a multiblock, segmented copolymer of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic dimer fatty acid (DFA) buildi...
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Personal Name(s): | Mihajlovic, Marko |
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Staropoli, Mariapaola / Appavou, Marie-Sousai / Wyss, Hans M. / Pyckhout-Hintzen, Wim / Sijbesma, Rint P. (Corresponding author) | |
Contributing Institute: |
Neutronenstreuung; ICS-1 JCNS-FRM-II; JCNS-FRM-II Neutronenstreuung; JCNS-1 |
Published in: | Macromolecules, 50 (2017) 8, S. 3333 - 3346 |
Imprint: |
Washington, DC
Soc.
2017
|
DOI: |
10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00319 |
Document Type: |
Journal Article |
Research Program: |
Soft Matter, Health and Life Sciences Jülich Centre for Neutron Research (JCNS) Functional Macromolecules and Complexes |
Subject (ZB): | |
Link: |
OpenAccess OpenAccess |
Publikationsportal JuSER |
Please use the identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/14348 in citations.
We report the preparation and structural and mechanical characterization of a tough supramolecular hydrogel, based exclusively on hydrophobic association. The system consists of a multiblock, segmented copolymer of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic dimer fatty acid (DFA) building blocks. A series of copolymers containing 2K, 4K, and 8K PEG were prepared. Upon swelling in water, a network is formed by self-assembly of hydrophobic DFA units in micellar domains, which act as stable physical cross-link points. The resulting hydrogels are noneroding and contain 75–92 wt % of water at swelling equilibrium. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements showed that the aggregation number of micelles ranges from 2 × 102 to 6 × 102 DFA units, increasing with PEG molecular weight. Mechanical characterization indicated that the hydrogel containing PEG 2000 is mechanically very stable and tough, possessing a tensile toughness of 4.12 MJ/m3. The high toughness, processability, and ease of preparation make these hydrogels very attractive for applications where mechanical stability and load bearing features of soft materials are required. |