Tough polymer gels reinforced by strain-induced crystallization

IF 2.3 4区化学 Q3 POLYMER SCIENCE

Polymer Journal Pub Date : 2024-12-24 DOI:10.1038/s41428-024-01004-6

Koichi Mayumi

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Abstract

Recently, we reported that strain-induced crystallization (SIC) of the polymer chains occurs in homogeneous polymer gels, such as slide-ring gels and Tri-/Tetra-PEG gels, with sufficiently high polymer concentrations. SIC significantly improves the mechanical toughness of homogeneous gels. Polymer crystals form and dissolve immediately after the polymer gels are stretched and unstretched. The quick formation and dissolution of the strain-induced crystals leads to elastic mechanical responses with minimal hysteresis under cyclic stretching. Tough and elastic polymer gels have potential applications in biomedical materials (ex. artificial ligaments and tendons) and soft electric devices (ex. soft actuators and flexible batteries) under repeated deformation. We have discovered that strain-induced crystallization (SIC) of the polymer chains occurs in homogeneous polymer gels, such as slide-ring gels and Tri-/Tetra-PEG gels, with sufficiently high polymer concentrations. SIC significantly improves the mechanical toughness of homogeneous gels. Polymer crystals form and dissolve immediately after the polymer gels are stretched and unstretched. The quick formation and dissolution of the strain-induced crystals leads to elastic mechanical responses with minimal hysteresis under cyclic stretching. Tough and elastic polymer gels have potential applications in biomedical materials and soft electric devices under repeated deformation.

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最近，我们报告说，在聚合物浓度足够高的均相聚合物凝胶（如滑环凝胶和三/四聚乙二醇凝胶）中，会出现聚合物链的应变诱导结晶（SIC）。SIC 可大大提高均相凝胶的机械韧性。聚合物凝胶在拉伸和未拉伸后，聚合物晶体会立即形成和溶解。应变引起的晶体的快速形成和溶解导致在循环拉伸下产生滞后极小的弹性机械响应。韧性和弹性聚合物凝胶有望应用于反复变形的生物医学材料（如人造韧带和肌腱）和软电子设备（如软致动器和柔性电池）。我们发现，在聚合物浓度足够高的均质聚合物凝胶（如滑环凝胶和三/四聚乙二醇凝胶）中，会出现聚合物链的应变诱导结晶（SIC）。SIC 可大大提高均相凝胶的机械韧性。聚合物凝胶在拉伸和未拉伸后，聚合物晶体会立即形成和溶解。应变引起的晶体的快速形成和溶解导致在循环拉伸下产生滞后极小的弹性机械响应。韧性和弹性聚合物凝胶有望应用于反复变形的生物医学材料和软电子设备中。

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来源期刊

Polymer Journal 化学-高分子科学

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

7.10%

发文量

131

审稿时长

2.5 months

期刊介绍： Polymer Journal promotes research from all aspects of polymer science from anywhere in the world and aims to provide an integrated platform for scientific communication that assists the advancement of polymer science and related fields. The journal publishes Original Articles, Notes, Short Communications and Reviews. Subject areas and topics of particular interest within the journal''s scope include, but are not limited to, those listed below: Polymer synthesis and reactions Polymer structures Physical properties of polymers Polymer surface and interfaces Functional polymers Supramolecular polymers Self-assembled materials Biopolymers and bio-related polymer materials Polymer engineering.