Printing Double-Network Tough Hydrogels Using Temperature-Controlled Projection Stereolithography (TOPS).

ABSTRACT: We report a new method to shape double-network (DN) hydrogels into customized 3D structures that exhibit superior mechanical properties in both tension and compression. A one-pot prepolymer formulation containing photo-cross-linkable acrylamide and thermoreversible sol-gel κ-carrageenan with a suitable cross-linker and photoinitiators/absorbers is optimized. A new TOPS system is utilized to photopolymerize the primary acrylamide network into a 3D structure above the sol-gel transition of κ-carrageenan (80 °C), while cooling down generates the secondary physical κ-carrageenan network to realize tough DN hydrogel structures. 3D structures, printed with high lateral (37 μm) and vertical (180 μm) resolutions and superior 3D design freedoms (internal voids), exhibit ultimate stress and strain o

SUBMITTER: Kunwar P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10316326 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature