writer：G. Huang, H. Zhang, Y. Liu, H. Chang, H. Zhang, H. Song, D. Xu, and T. Shi
keywords：Strain Hardening, Hydrogels
source：期刊
specific source：Macromolecules
Issue time：2017年
The large-amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS)
behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/borate hydrogels was
investigated with the change of scanning frequency (ω) as well
as concentrations of borate and PVA. The different types
(Types I?IV) of LAOS behavior are successfully classified by
the mean number of elastically active subchains per PVA chain
( feas) and Deborah number (De = ωτ, τ is the relaxation time of
sample). For the samples with Type I behavior (both storage
modulus G′ and loss modulus G″ increase with strain
amplitude γ, i.e., intercycle strain hardening), the critical
value of strain amplitude (γcrit) at the onset of intercycle strain hardening is almost the same when De > ～2 (Region 3), while the
value of Weissenberg number (Wi = γDe) at γcrit is similar when De < ～0.2 (Region 1). For intracycle behavior in the Lissajous
curve, intracycle strain hardening is only observed in viscous Lissajous curve of Region 1 or in the elastic Lissajous curve of
Region 3. In Region 1, both intercycle and intracycle strain hardening are mainly caused by the strain rate-induced increase in the
number of elastically active chains, while non-Gaussian stretching of polymer chains starts to contribute as Wi > 1. In Region 3,
strain-induced non-Gaussian stretching of polymer chains results in both intercycle and intracycle strain hardening. In Region 2
(～0.2 < De < ～2), two involved mechanisms both contribute to intercycle strain hardening. Furthermore, by analyzing the
influence of characteristic value of De as 1 on the rheological behavior of PVA/borate hydrogels, it is concluded that intercycle
strain hardening is dominated by strain-rate-induced increase in the number of elastically active chains when De < 1, while straininduced
non-Gaussian stretching dominates when De > 1.