Ultrahigh Tensibility and Stimuli‐Response of Polymer‐Hectorite Nanocomposite Hydrogels

Abstract

AbstractSummary: In the field of hydrogels with high mechanical performance, the nanocomposite hydrogel (NC gel) is widely interested due to its unique network structure with extraordinary mechanical, optical, and swelling/deswelling properties. Over the past few years, our group has investigated the fabrication and mechanical properties of a variety of the NC gels with different monomers. The effective network chain density and relaxation were well characterized by dynamic mechanical measurements. From these efforts, we found that the high tensibility of the NC gels came from the low effective network chain density with moderate relaxation. Besides, transparent and ultratensible NC gels with pH response and dual response of pH and temperature have successfully fabricated and characterized. This review will give a brief introduction of our achievements on the understanding of the preparation and properties of NC gels.