Biopolymer based tough and self-recovering ionic-covalent entanglement hydrogels

Authors

Damian Kirchmajer, University of WollongongFollow
Marc in het Panhuis, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

99916

Publication Details

Kirchmajer, D. M. & in het Panhuis, M. (2014). Biopolymer based tough and self-recovering ionic-covalent entanglement hydrogels. MRS Online Proceedings: Vol. 1685, 2014 MRS Spring Meeting - Symposium U - Soft Nanomaterials (pp. 1-4). United States: Cambridge University Press.

Abstract

Emerging applications for hydrogels such as soft robotics and tissue engineering require hydrogels with enhanced mechanical performance. We report the mechanical characteristics of two types of hydrogels: i) ionic-covalent entanglement (ICE) network hydrogels based on calcium cross-linked gellan gum and genipin cross-linked gelatin and ii) ICE microsphere reinforced gelatin hydrogels. This investigation showed that ICE gels can recover up 80% of their mechanical behavior during 5 repeated compressions. In addition, the optimum mechanical performance of gelatin reinforced gels was achieved with inclusion of 40% of ICE microspheres.