Tough Biomimetic Hydrogels with High Fatigue Resistance Based on Self-Assembled Conjugated Polymer Belt Mesh Interlaced with a Polyelectrolyte Network
writer：Gaolai Du, Guorong Gao, Jun Fu, et al
keywords：biomimetic hydrogel
source：期刊
specific source：Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 3522-3529
Issue time：2014年
Supertough biomimetic hydrogels have been fabricated through in
situ synthesis and guided assembling of positively charged conjugated polymer belts
by using a parent poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid)/poly-
(acrylamide) double network (PAMPS/PAAm DN) gel template. The interpenetrating
structures of the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) belt
mesh and PAMPS/PAAm host network have been confirmed by SEM, CLSM, and
Raman spectroscopy. The presence of PEDOT belts improves the Young’s modulus,
compressive strength, and toughness of the biomimetic (BM) hydrogels, in
comparison to the parent DN gels. Cyclic tensile (300% strain) and compressive
(even 90% strain) loadings demonstrate extraordinary fatigue resistance of these BM
gels. Upon ten cycles, the compressive toughness remained about 1000 J m?2, which
is comparable to that of articular cartilage. The internal fracture behavior and fatigue
resistance of these biomimetic interpenetrating hydrogels are further investigated.
These extremely tough and fatigue resistant BM hydrogels may find applications as
promising substitutes for load-bearing tissues.