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Shape‐Programmable Architectured Hydrogels Sensitive to Ultrasound
Author(s) -
Zhang Pengfei,
Behl Marc,
Balk Maria,
Peng Xingzhou,
Lendlein Andreas
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201900658
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , materials science , swelling , polymer , ultimate tensile strength , composite material , porosity , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , engineering
On‐demand motion of highly swollen polymer systems can be triggered by changes in pH, ion concentrations, or by heat. Here, shape‐programmable, architectured hydrogels are introduced, which respond to ultrasonic‐cavitation‐based mechanical forces (CMF) by directed macroscopic movements. The concept is the implementation and sequential coupling of multiple functions (swellability in water, sensitivity to ultrasound, shape programmability, and shape‐memory) in a semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (s‐IPN). The semi‐IPN‐based hydrogels are designed to function through rhodium coordination (Rh‐s‐IPNH). These coordination bonds act as temporary crosslinks. The porous hydrogels with coordination bonds (degree of swelling from 300 ± 10 to 680 ± 60) exhibit tensile strength σ max up to 250 ± 60 kPa. Shape fixity ratios up to 90% and shape recovery ratios up to 94% are reached. Potential applications are switches or mechanosensors.