Role of Nanoparticle-Polymer Interactions on the Development of Double-Network Hydrogel Nanocomposites with High Mechanical Strength.

ABSTRACT: Extensive experimental and theoretical research over the past several decades has pursued strategies to develop hydrogels with high mechanical strength. Our study investigated the effect of combining two approaches, addition of nanoparticles and crosslinking two different polymers (to create double-network hydrogels), on the mechanical properties of hydrogels. Our studies revealed that these orthogonal approaches may be combined to synthesize hydrogel composites with enhanced mechanical properties. However, the enhancement in double network hydrogel elastic modulus due to incorporation of nanoparticles is limited by the ability of the nanoparticles to strongly interact with the polymers in the network. Moreover, double-network hydrogel nanocomposites prepared using lower monomer concentrat

SUBMITTER: Chang A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7077622 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature