Self-reinforcement of alginate hydrogel via conformational control. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahn, Yongjun; Kim, Hyungsup; Kwak, Seung-Yeop
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 116(2019)
• Page Start: 480
• Page End: 487
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Alginate -- Hydrogel -- Mechanical properties -- Rheology -- Light scattering; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.03.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: We prepared highly stretchable and tough alginate hydrogels by conformational control. Conformational change was investigated by light scattering and rheology. Addition of glycerol into alginate solution influenced on molecule size and flexibility. Mechanical properties of hydrogel were determined by physical network structure. Abstract: Alginate hydrogel with high stretchability and toughness was prepared using binary solvent system consisting of water and glycerol. The mechanical performance was achieved via conformational control for the alginate molecules using water/glycerol binary system. The conformational characteristics of the alginate chains in glycerol/water solution were systematically investigated by spectroscopic analysis and rheological approach. The glycerol in the solution deconstructed intra-hydrogen bonding of alginate molecules, resulting in an increase of chain flexibility and hydrodynamic volume. The flexible chains had more chance to be entangled with the neighboring chains. The inter-molecular entanglement effectively transferred the stress and hindered crack propagation. The study provides fundamental insight for the design of alginate hydrogel with high stretchability and toughness.