2023-12-19 プリンストン大学
◆このハイドロゲルは、相分離と呼ばれる現象を利用し、物理的な特性に基づいて強度を得ています。これにより、従来のハイドロゲルよりも容易にリサイクルでき、何度も脱水・再水和が可能です。
◆研究者はこの新しいハイドロゲルをさまざまな条件で試験し、既存および新興のハイドロゲルの応用をより持続可能かつ環境に優しいものにする可能性があると述べています。
＜関連情報＞
- https://engineering.princeton.edu/news/2023/12/19/reusable-and-recyclable-new-hydrogel-squishes-old-versions-environmental-impact
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacsau.3c00326
脱水-水和サイクルで相分離した強靭でリサイクル可能な超分子ゲル Tough and Recyclable Phase-Separated Supramolecular Gels via a Dehydration–Hydration Cycle
Xiaohui Xu, Yannick L. Eatmon, Kofi S. S. Christie, Allyson L. McGaughey, Néhémie Guillomaitre, Sujit S. Datta, Zhiyong Jason Ren, Craig Arnold, and Rodney D. Priestley
Journal of the American Chemical Society Au Published:September 21, 2023
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jacsau.3c00326
Abstract
Hydrogels are compelling materials for emerging applications including soft robotics and autonomous sensing. Mechanical stability over an extensive range of environmental conditions and considerations of sustainability, both environmentally benign processing and end-of-life use, are enduring challenges. To make progress on these challenges, we designed a dehydration–hydration approach to transform soft and weak hydrogels into tough and recyclable supramolecular phase-separated gels (PSGs) using water as the only solvent. The dehydration–hydration approach led to phase separation and the formation of domains consisting of strong polymer–polymer interactions that are critical for forming PSGs. The phase-separated segments acted as robust, physical cross-links to strengthen PSGs, which exhibited enhanced toughness and stretchability in its fully swollen state. PSGs are not prone to overswelling or severe shrinkage in wet conditions and show environmental tolerance in harsh conditions, e.g., solutions with pH between 1 and 14. Finally, we demonstrate the use of PSGs as strain sensors in air and aqueous environments.
