Microstructured thermo-responsive double network granular hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: Many hydrogels respond to external stimuli such as changes in temperature, pH, or salt concentrations by changing their degree of swelling, and hence mechanical properties, rendering them attractive actuators. Unfortunately, response rates of many of these hydrogels are limited because they rely on the diffusion of water, which is relatively slow within the gel. Here, we introduce thermo-responsive granular hydrogels which combine accelerated response rates with load-bearing properties. To accelerate the response to temperature changes, we formulate poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels with connected pores by leveraging phase separations. To impart the porous hydrogel load-bearing properties, we formulate them as thermo-responsive double network granular hydrogels (TDNGHs)

SUBMITTER: Thoma A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12186764 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature