Abstract
SummaryIn this mini‐review we summarize our attempts for the development of mechanically strong hydrogels on the basis of reactive star‐shaped prepolymers based on the concept of tailored microstructure. Hydrogels formed by chemical cross‐linking of six arm star‐shaped poly(ethylene oxide‐stat‐propylene oxide) prepolymers comprising reactive isocyanate end groups (NCO‐sP(EO‐stat‐PO)) were used as single network (SN) component, based on the hypothesis that their microstructure mixed chemical and physical cross‐linking would enable lower hysteresis. Microstructure was introduced following three strategies: addition of tailored triblock‐copolymers, reinforcement with nanoparticles, and double‐network (DN) hydrogels by swelling the SN with acrylamide and in situ polymerization of the second network. With the DN approach, hydrogels were obtained that showed negligible hysteresis after repeated compression with 1 MPa.
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