title: Robust, tough and anti-fatigue cationic latex composite hydrogels based on dual physically cross-linked networks.
abstract: Dual physically cross-linked hydrogels, which are triggered by cationic latexes as hydrophobic association and ionic crosslinking centers, were easily fabricated via a one-pot in situ polymerization method. First, the hydrophobic alkyl chains of hydrophobic monomers are adsorbed on the surface of latex microspheres and stabilized in the presence of surfactants, forming hydrophobic association centers as the first physical crosslinking points. Meanwhile, the anionic sulfate radicals dissociated by persulphate are attracted towards the cationic molecular chains of latex microspheres through ionic interactions, forming the secondary physical crosslinking centers, and initiate the copolymerization between acrylamide and hydrophobic vinyl monomers. The fabricated hydrogel exhibited high tensile strength of 1.32MPa, a remarkable toughness of 4.53MJm-3, excellent self-recovery properties and fatigue resistance. Therefore, the current work provides a promising strategy for designing novel hydrogels via multiple physical interactions and devoid of any chemical crosslinking. The novel design of hydrogels can enhance their mechanical properties and expand their biomedical applications.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, China.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, China.
authors.forename: Lijie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, China.
authors.forename: Xiuyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, China. Electronic address: ghgao@ccut.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Guang Hui
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry; D005221:Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008863:Microspheres; D058105:Polymerization; D012212:Rheology; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002412:Cations; D020100:Hydrogels
keywords: Adsorption; Cationic latexes; Dual physically crosslinking; Hydrogels; Hydrophobic association; Ionic crosslinking; Mechanical properties