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Synthesis and Viscoelastic Properties of Hydrophobically Modified Hydrogels
Author(s) -
MiquelardGarnier Guillaume,
Creton Costantino,
Hourdet Dominique
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200751021
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , viscoelasticity , rheology , materials science , polymer chemistry , polymer , acrylic acid , chemical engineering , titration , polyelectrolyte , copolymer , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering
Abstract Summary: We report the synthesis and characterization of a family of hydrophobically modified hydrogels designed to have an improved fracture resistance. A backbone of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was functionalized with double bonds and hydrophobic groups. The functionalized PAA was then crosslinked with a dithiol. The chemical structure of the gels was characterized with a combination of NMR, titration methods and rheological techniques. The crosslinked structure of the hydrogel was found to be dependent on the polymer concentration only, while the dissipative properties of the gel increased strongly at all frequencies, with the introduction of hydrophobic groups which formed reversible associations. We expect these viscoelastic hydrogels to display dramatically different properties from the unmodified hydrogels when stretched and fractured.