Preparation and characterization of high-performance hydrogels based on hydrogen bonds

Abstract

Recently, smart hydrogels have been widely and deeply studied. However, due to brittle structures of hydrogels, easy to crack or break, applications of hydrogels are limited. In order to deal with this puzzle, we designed high-performance hydrogels based on hydrogen bonds, using free-radical solution polymerization method and biocompatible monomers, to synthesize P(AANa-co-HEMA) hydrogel. Its mechanical strength and swelling ratio were then characterized. The results indicate that, owing to hydrogen bonds among polymer chains in the hydrogel network, reversible crosslinking points were built. Therefore, P(AANa-co-HEMA) hydrogel has good mechanical strength, with elongation ratio at break up to 4200% and tensile strength up to 0.18 MPa. It also has a very high swelling ratio, which can be tens to hundreds of times, according to different acidity and salinity of the environment.