title: Highly Stretchable and Notch-Insensitive Hydrogel Based on Polyacrylamide and Milk Protein.
abstract: Protein-based hydrogels have received attention for biomedical applications and tissue engineering because they are biocompatible and abundant. However, the poor mechanical properties of these hydrogels remain a hurdle for practical use. We have developed a highly stretchable and notch-insensitive hydrogel by integrating casein micelles into polyacrylamide (PAAm) networks. In the casein-PAAm hybrid gels, casein micelles and polyacrylamide chains synergistically enhance the mechanical properties. Casein-PAAm hybrid gels are highly stretchable, stretching to more than 35 times their initial length under uniaxial tension. The hybrid gels are notch-insensitive and tough with a fracture energy of approximately 3000 J/m2. A new mechanism of energy dissipation that includes friction between casein micelles and plastic deformation of casein micelles was suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 151-742, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jinwoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 151-742, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jaehun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 151-742, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Sub
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 151-742, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 151-742, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Seoul National University , Seoul 151-742, South Korea.|Research Institute of Advanced Materials (RIAM), Seoul National University , Seoul 151-744, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008894:Milk Proteins; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D000099166:Polyacrylamides
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D020100:Hydrogels; D008894:Milk Proteins; D000099166:Polyacrylamides
keywords: casein; energy dissipations; notch-insensitive hydrogels; polyacrylamide; protein hydrogels; tough hydrogels