Article
Materials Science, Composites
Jiamin Wu, Dan Xu, Zhaoxue Feng, Longxiang Zhu, Chaohong Dong, Jianhui Qiu
Summary: In this study, a stretchable and highly sensitive polyacrylamide hydrogel was synthesized using polyelectrolyte microgels reinforcement. The hydrogel exhibited improved mechanical properties and a denser porous structure. The hydrogel sensor showed graded sensitivity and could detect subtle and large human body movements in real-time.
COMPOSITES COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zifeng Yang, Rongkang Huang, Bingna Zheng, Wentai Guo, Chuangkun Li, Wenyi He, Yingqi Wei, Yang Du, Huaiming Wang, Dingcai Wu, Hui Wang
Summary: By grafting cationic polyelectrolyte brushes onto polydopamine/polyacrylamide hydrogels, the mechanical and antibacterial properties of the hydrogels were enhanced, leading to stable coverage, long-lasting antibacterial effects, and fast wound healing.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Gerlinde Lefever, Danny Van Hemelrijck, Dimitrios G. Aggelis, Didier Snoeck
Summary: Research has found that adding superabsorbent polymers can enhance the repair ability of concrete infrastructure, and appropriate evaluation techniques are necessary to test its effectiveness. Using ultrasonic wave through transmission for non-destructive testing can help visualize the internal details of self-healing concrete materials and determine the healing effects over different time periods.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Meijun Chen, Kun Lei, Pengshan Guo, Xin Liu, Pengchao Zhao, Meng Han, Bianyun Cai, Guangda Li, Jinghua Li, Jingqiang Cui, Xinling Wang
Summary: The construction of highly stretchable and sensitive flexible strain sensors is challenging, but crucial for various applications. In this study, a nanocomposite conductive hydrogel (NCCH) was designed using multi-reversible molecular interactions (MRMIs). The NCCH demonstrated excellent mechanical, self-healing, adhesive, biocompatible, and sensing properties. The NCCH sensors showed remarkable sensing stability for detecting strain-induced deformation, joint motions, and animal heartbeats.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xudong Yu, Wenshuo Hou, Yajuan Li, Yi Wei, Jujie Ren
Summary: This article introduces a new type of hydrogel material with stretchable, healable, biocompatible, and conductive properties, suitable for wearable electronics and environmental remediation applications. It has high conductivity, ultrafast self-healing ability, high stretchability, and reversible adhesivity on various material surfaces.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Heng Xu, Jing Tu, Pingyun Li, Li Liang, Jie Ji, Guifeng Xiang, Haozhe Li, Yang Zhang, Xiaode Guo
Summary: This study developed a new autonomous self-healing PU with excellent mechanical properties and rapid self-healing ability, which can be adjusted by introducing T-type chain extender. The PU applied to metal surface coating shows outstanding acid-base resistance and self-healing capability, effectively repairing scratches at room temperature.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heli Cheng, Zhen Fan, Zhenyu Wang, Zejiang Guo, Jungang Jiang, Yimin Xie
Summary: A highly stretchable and self-healing hydrogel with dual cross-linking network was developed using polyvinyl alcohol, borax, aldehyde nanocellulose, and adipic acid dihydrazide-modified alginate. The hydrogel demonstrated increased flexibility, higher elongation rate, and improved self-healing efficiency compared to a single network hydrogel. It also exhibited wide working strain range, durability, reliability, and biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for green, flexible, and smart sensors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yizhou Zhao, Quanduo Liang, Samuel M. Mugo, Lijia An, Qiang Zhang, Yuyuan Lu
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of wearable supercapacitors with repeated shape editability, excellent self-healing capability, and long-term cycling durability by sandwiching hydrogel electrolytes between two electrodes. The use of hydrogel electrolytes with unique cross-linking structures enhances the long-term cycling durability, while the dynamic crosslinking sites stabilize the supercapacitors during charge-discharge processes. The fabricated supercapacitors show high capacitance retention rates and can be repeatedly processed into various shapes without losing capacitance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Peng Wang, Zinan Wang, Ximin Zhang, Yongli Liao, Wei Duan, Ying Yue, Yuning Zhang
Summary: A new kind of stretchable superhydrophobic supercapacitor was proposed, which was based on the freeze-thaw treatment of PVA hydrogel. Carrageenan and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced to construct a triple network hydrogel that achieved self-healing, high elasticity, and stretchability simultaneously. Hydrophobic modified CNTs and NiO/CoO nanoparticles were sprayed onto the hydrogel surface to construct electrodes, resulting in improved energy storage performance. This superhydrophobic supercapacitor has excellent flexibility, self-healing, and self-cleaning properties, and it can maintain superhydrophobicity and good energy storage performance even after being stretched, abraded, and cut multiple times. Due to its superhydrophobic nature, this supercapacitor has promising applications in underwater workings.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Peng Wang, Zinan Wang, Ximin Zhang, Yongli Liao, Wei Duan, Ying Yue, Yuning Zhang
Summary: A new kind of stretchable superhydrophobic supercapacitor was proposed using a freeze-thaw treatment method. The supercapacitor has excellent flexibility, self-healing, and self-cleaning properties. It can maintain superhydrophobic and good energy storage performance even after being stretched, abraded, and cut multiple times.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yue Jiao, Ya Lu, Kaiyue Lu, Yiying Yue, Xinwu Xu, Huining Xiao, Jian Li, Jingquan Han
Summary: The composite hydrogel composed of polyaniline, polyacrylic acid, and oxidized cellulose nanofibrils exhibits excellent mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and self-healing abilities, making it a promising material for applications in health monitoring and smart robotics.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Liang Liu, Yunxin Chen, Chunxia Zhao, Min Guo, Yuanpeng Wu, Yuntao Li, Dong Xiang, Hui Li, Li Wang, Xiaoyan Zhang
Summary: In this study, a highly stretchable dual crosslinked hydrogel inspired by jellyfish tentacles was successfully prepared as a motion sensor underwater. The hydrogel exhibited excellent anti-swelling characteristics, superior tensile properties, and rapid self-healing performance. It efficiently adhered to various biological tissues in aquatic environments, and showed high sensitivity and stability as a strain sensor in air and water. The unique performance of the prepared materials further expands their application prospects in flexible wearable devices, anti-counterfeiting recognition, and other fields in environmental conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xing Li, Yinghui Ma, Dacheng Li, Shaorong Lu, Yuqi Li, Ziwei Li
Summary: In this study, self-healing biomass-based conductive hydrogels were developed for wearable devices and human movement monitoring. The hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical properties and self-healing efficiency. A strain sensor fabricated from the hydrogels successfully detected and monitored various human movements. The sensor also showed good durability and working stability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Masahiko Nakamoto, Moe Noguchi, Akihiro Nishiguchi, Joao F. F. Mano, Michiya Matsusaki, Mitsuru Akashi
Summary: Researchers have developed a highly stretchable hydrogel based on the crosslinking structure between calcium cations and alendronates conjugated with poly-gamma-glutamate. The hydrogel exhibits 2000% stretchability and reversible stretching without failure at a strain of 250%. By adjusting the concentration of the crosslinker or calcium chloride, the fracture strain and stress of the hydrogel can be controlled. This biodegradable polymer-based hydrogel shows promise in applications such as tissue engineering.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chiao-Yueh Lo, Yusen Zhao, Cheolgyu Kim, Yousif Alsaid, Roozbeh Khodambashi, Matthew Peet, Rebecca Fisher, Hamid Marvi, Spring Berman, Daniel Aukes, Ximin He
Summary: This study presents a soft robotic strategy that couples actuation and strain sensing into a single homogeneous material, which exhibits photo/thermal-responsiveness and piezoresistive-responsiveness, enabling remotely-triggered actuation and local strain-sensing. The material demonstrated ultra-high stretchability and large volume shrinkage, with a drastic change in conductivity upon locomotion. The multifunctional sensory actuatable materials may lead to the next generation of soft robots with higher levels of autonomy and complexity.
Article
Polymer Science
Esra Su, Gozde Bayazit, Semra Ide, Oguz Okay
Summary: In this study, a self-healing and shape-memory interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) was synthesized by UV polymerization. It was found that the physical properties of IPNs, including melting temperature, crystallinity, Young's modulus, toughness, and stretchability, could be tuned by varying the amount of isobutylene-isoprene rubber (IIR). The crystalline structure acted as sacrificial bonds to dissipate energy under strain, leading to improved toughness. Furthermore, the IPNs exhibited temperature induced healing behavior and effective shape-memory function.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Ezgi B. Ceper, Esra Su, Oguz Okay, Orhan Guney
Summary: In this work, graphene oxide (GO) and vinyl modified GO (V-GO)-based nanocomposite hydrogels with improved mechanical property and self-healing ability have been synthesized and characterized. The effects of GO and V-GO content on the gelation process, viscoelastic characteristics, pH-responsive action, swelling behavior, and mechanical performance of the hydrogels were studied.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Gozde Bayazit Sekitmen, Esra Su, Sinem Diken Gur, Semra Ide, Oguz Okay
Summary: This study emphasizes the importance of hydrogel-based therapy in repairing cartilage tissue and discusses the nanoscopic requirements for the physical sterilization of hydrogels. The nanostructured and shape memory hydrogel composites previously designed and synthesized by the researchers were used in the study. The study evaluates physical sterilization methods and biofilm formations in the hydrogel materials and investigates their potential as artificial cartilage or cartilage tissue scaffolds. The study determines the most suitable hydrogel sample, physical sterilization methods, and ability to resist biofilm formation for further in vivo studies.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmet Cetinkaya, S. Irem Kaya, Pelin Senel, Nejla Cini, Esen B. Atici, Sibel A. Ozkan, Mine Yurtsever, Aysegul Golcu
Summary: This study successfully achieved the high sensitivity, rapid, and precise detection of axitinib using a multiwalled carbon nanotube/iron(III) oxide nanoparticle-chitosan nanocomposite modified electrode. The developed modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity and demonstrated good applicability in tablet and serum samples.
Article
Polymer Science
Cagla Erkoc, Erol Yildirim, Mine Yurtsever, Oguz Okay
Summary: This study investigates the mechanical properties and influencing factors of hydrogels with different compositions of copolymer monomers through experimental verification and simulation calculations. The study finds that the hydrophobicity of the major copolymer monomer, ionic H-bonds, formation of strong H-bonded nanoaggregates, and stronger and higher inter-chain H-bonding and electrostatic interactions are critical factors determining the mechanical performance of the hydrogels.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Turdimuhammad Abdullah, Oguz Okay
Summary: This study developed 4D-printed hydrogels based on poly(acrylic acid) that can possess shape-memory and self-healing properties. These hydrogels can be magically actuated near the body temperature by adjusting the molar ratio of the monomers and exhibit high mechanical properties. Overall, these 4D printable hydrogels have great potential for biomedical applications.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Turdimuhammad Abdullah, Esra Su, Adnan Memic
Summary: There is a need to develop next-generation medical products using biomaterials with improved properties, and cryogels are potential materials for this purpose. Cryogels, made by controlled crosslinking at subzero temperatures, have highly dense and crosslinked polymer walls, macroporous structures, and improved properties. Silk and its derivatives have gained interest for cryogel fabrication, and this review provides an overview of their use in scaffold design, including fabrication strategies to tune their properties and specific biomedical applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yahya Bas, Oguz Okay
Summary: This study demonstrates the preparation of mechanically strong and shape-memory organohydrogels (OHGs) by incorporating organo-microgels into the pores of silk fibroin (SF) scaffolds. The stiffness of OHGs can be controlled by adjusting the SF concentration and pore size.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Busra Sekizkardes, Esra Su, Oguz Okay
Summary: Polymers based on AMPS have high water absorption capacity when swollen in water. PAMPS hydrogels, synthesized via free-radical cross-linking copolymerization, have poor mechanical properties. Here, we demonstrate that terpolymerization of AMPS, MAAc, and DMAA without a chemical cross-linker produces mechanically strong hydrogen-bonded hydrogels. The water content during gelation affects the microstructure and mechanical properties of the hydrogels.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Cigdem Buse Oral, Berkant Yetiskin, Canan Cil, Fatma Nese Kok, Oguz Okay
Summary: Inspired by nature, we designed organohydrogels (OHGs) consisting of a silk fibroin (SF) hydrogel as the continuous phase and the hydrophobic microinclusions based on semicrystalline poly(n-octadecyl acrylate) (PC18A) as the dispersed phase. SF acts as a self-emulsifier to obtain oil-in-water emulsions, and ethanol is added to induce gelation in the continuous SF phase. In the second step, in situ polymerization of C18A droplets in the emulsion system was conducted under UV light in the presence of a photoinitiator to obtain high-strength OHGs with shape-memory function and good cytocompatibility.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Gamze Doser, Esra Su, Oguz Okay
Summary: We discussed the properties of seven different synthetic and biopolymer cryogels prepared under the same conditions, and how the cryogenic conditions and chemistry affect their properties. The monomers used included acrylamide, N, N-dimethylacrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium methacrylate, and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium salt. Silk fibroin and double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid were selected as the biopolymers for cryogel preparation. Nonionic cryogels produced with acrylamide and N, N-dimethylacrylamide had the largest pore volumes and average pore diameters, while ionic cryogels exhibited smaller pore volumes due to pore collapse during drying. The SF cryogel had the most mechanically stable porous structure.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Gaukhar Toleutay, Esra Su, Gaukhargul Yelemessova
Summary: Polyampholyte hydrogels possess excellent antibacterial and antifouling properties, making them appealing for various biomedical applications. They also find potential uses in areas like food safety, wastewater treatment, and desalination. This study investigated the effects of chemical and physical interactions on the performance of polyampholyte hydrogels, specifically focusing on their mechanical and rheological properties. Different gel characteristics were achieved by varying the initial monomer concentration and crosslinker ratios, demonstrating the ability to reduce the amount of chemical crosslinker required for a desired level of crosslinking. Additionally, the incorporation of N,N-dimethylacrylamide resulted in improved material performance due to an increase in hydrogen bond formation.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Cigdem Buse Oral, Berkant Yetiskin, Canan Cil, Fatma Nese Kok, Oguz Okay
Summary: Inspired by nature, the researchers designed organohydrogels (OHGs) using silk fibroin (SF) as the continuous phase and semicrystalline poly(n-octadecyl acrylate) (PC18A) as the dispersed phase. SF acted as a self-emulsifier, making it a versatile and green alternative to chemical emulsifiers. By inducing gelation in the SF phase and polymerization of PC18A droplets, the researchers obtained high-strength OHGs with shape-memory function and good cytocompatibility. The incorporation of hydrophilic and noncrystallizable hydrophobic units further improved the mechanical and shape-memory properties of the OHGs.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
