Swelling and mechanical properties of polymer gels with cross-linking gradient

Soft Matter ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (15) ◽  
pp. 3455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo A. L. Fernandes ◽  
Stephan Schmidt ◽  
Michael Zeiser ◽  
Andreas Fery ◽  
Thomas Hellweg
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Polymer Gels ◽  
Cross Linking

scholarly journals Influence of Rhamnolipids and Ionic Cross-Linking Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of Alginate Hydrogels as a Model Bacterial Biofilm

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6840
Author(s):  
Natalia Czaplicka ◽  
Szymon Mania ◽  
Donata Konopacka-Łyskawa
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Testing Machine ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Ion Trapping ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Box Behnken Design ◽  
Compression Load ◽  
Alginate Hydrogels ◽  
Biofilm Structure

The literature indicates the existence of a relationship between rhamnolipids and bacterial biofilm, as well as the ability of selected bacteria to produce rhamnolipids and alginate. However, the influence of biosurfactant molecules on the mechanical properties of biofilms are still not fully understood. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of rhamnolipids concentration, CaCl2 concentration, and ionic cross-linking time on the mechanical properties of alginate hydrogels using a Box–Behnken design. The mechanical properties of cross-linked alginate hydrogels were characterized using a universal testing machine. It was assumed that the addition of rhamnolipids mainly affects the compression load, and the value of this parameter is lower for hydrogels produced with biosurfactant concentration below CMC than for hydrogels obtained in pure water. In contrast, the addition of rhamnolipids in an amount exceeding CMC causes an increase in compression load. In bacterial biofilms, the presence of rhamnolipid molecules does not exceed the CMC value, which may confirm the influence of this biosurfactant on the formation of the biofilm structure. Moreover, rhamnolipids interact with the hydrophobic part of the alginate copolymer chains, and then the hydrophilic groups of adsorbed biosurfactant molecules create additional calcium ion trapping sites.

scholarly journals Hyperbranched polyamide modified graphene oxide-reinforced polyurethane nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties

RSC Advances ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 14484-14494
Author(s):  
Yahao Liu ◽  
Jian Zheng ◽  
Xiao Zhang ◽  
Yongqiang Du ◽  
Guibo Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Elongation At Break ◽  
Modified Graphene Oxide ◽  
High Performance Composite ◽  
Modified Graphene ◽  
Polyurethane Nanocomposites ◽  
Hyperbranched Polyamide

We successfully modified graphene oxide with amino-terminated hyperbranched polyamide (HGO), and obtained a high-performance composite with enhanced strength and elongation at break via cross-linking hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene chains with HGO.

scholarly journals Smart Hydrogel Bilayers Prepared by Irradiation

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1753
Author(s):  
Weixian Huo ◽  
Heng An ◽  
Shuquan Chang ◽  
Shengsheng Yang ◽  
Yin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Smart Hydrogel ◽  
Isopropyl Acrylamide ◽  
Hydrogel Synthesis ◽  
Potential Applications

Environment-responsive hydrogel actuators have attracted tremendous attention due to their intriguing properties. Gamma radiation has been considered as a green cross-linking process for hydrogel synthesis, as toxic cross-linking agents and initiators were not required. In this work, chitosan/agar/P(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-acrylamide) (CS/agar/P(NIPAM-co-AM)) and CS/agar/Montmorillonite (MMT)/PNIPAM temperature-sensitive hydrogel bilayers were synthesized via gamma radiation at room temperature. The mechanical properties and temperature sensitivity of hydrogels under different agar content and irradiation doses were explored. The enhancement of the mechanical properties of the composite hydrogel can be attributed to the presence of agar and MMT. Due to the different temperature sensitivities provided by the two layers of hydrogel, they can move autonomously and act as a flexible gripper as the temperature changes. Thanks to the antibacterial properties of the hydrogel, their storage time and service life may be improved. The as prepared hydrogel bilayers have potential applications in control devices, soft robots, artificial muscles and other fields.

scholarly journals Double-Cross-Linked Networks Based on Methacryloyl Mucin

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1706
Author(s):  
Elena Olăreț ◽  
Brîndușa Bălănucă ◽  
Andra Mihaela Onaș ◽  
Jana Ghițman ◽  
Horia Iovu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Aqueous Solution ◽  
Chemical Modification ◽  
Structural Modification ◽  
Aqueous Media ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Acid Aqueous Solution ◽  
Reaction Media ◽  
Double Cross

Mucin is a glycoprotein with proven potential in the biomaterials field, but its use is still underexploited for such applications. The present work aims to produce a synthesis of methacryloyl mucin single-network (SN) hydrogels and their double-cross-linked-network (DCN) counterparts. Following the synthesis of the mucin methacryloyl derivative, various SN hydrogels are prepared through the photopolymerization of methacrylate bonds, using reaction media with different pH values. The SN hydrogels are converted into DCN systems via supplementary cross-linking in tannic acid aqueous solution. The chemical modification of mucin is described, and the obtained product is characterized; the structural modification of mucin is assessed through FTIR spectroscopy, and the circular dichroism and the isoelectric point of methacryloyl mucin is evaluated. The affinity for aqueous media of both SN and DCN hydrogels is estimated, and the mechanical properties of the systems are assessed, both at macroscale through uniaxial compression and rheology tests and also at microscale through nanoindentation tests.

scholarly journals Cellular Orientation on Repeatedly Stretching Gelatin Hydrogels with Supramolecular Cross-Linkers

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2095
Author(s):  
Dae Hoon Lee ◽  
Yoshinori Arisaka ◽  
Asato Tonegawa ◽  
Tae Woong Kang ◽  
Atsushi Tamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Linear Polymer ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Adherent Cells ◽  
Cell Cultivation ◽  
Supramolecular Compound ◽  
Synthetic Materials ◽  
Cyclic Molecules

The cytocompatibility of biological and synthetic materials is an important issue for biomaterials. Gelatin hydrogels are used as biomaterials because of their biodegradability. We have previously reported that the mechanical properties of gelatin hydrogels are improved by cross-linking with polyrotaxanes, a supramolecular compound composed of many cyclic molecules threaded with a linear polymer. In this study, the ability of gelatin hydrogels cross-linked by polyrotaxanes (polyrotaxane–gelatin hydrogels) for cell cultivation was investigated. Because the amount of polyrotaxanes used for gelatin fabrication is very small, the chemical composition was barely altered. The structure and wettability of these hydrogels are also the same as those of conventional hydrogels. Fibroblasts adhered on polyrotaxane–gelatin hydrogels and conventional hydrogels without any reduction or apoptosis of adherent cells. From these results, the polyrotaxane–gelatin hydrogels have the potential to improve the mechanical properties of gelatin without affecting cytocompatibility. Interestingly, when cells were cultured on polyrotaxane–gelatin hydrogels after repeated stress deformation, the cells were spontaneously oriented to the stretching direction. This cellular response was not observed on conventional hydrogels. These results suggest that the use of a polyrotaxane cross-linking agent can not only improve the strength of hydrogels but can also contribute to controlling reorientation of the gelatin.

The Effect of Cross-Linking on Nano-Mechanical Properties of Polyamide

2016 ◽  
Vol 699 ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Ovsik ◽  
David Manas ◽  
Miroslav Manas ◽  
Michal Stanek ◽  
Martin Reznicek
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Surface Layer ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Basic Material ◽  
Nanoindentation Test ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Indentation Hardness ◽  
Depth Sensing ◽  
Nanomechanical Properties ◽  
Radiation Crosslinking

Radiation crosslinking of polyamidu 6 (PA 6) is a well-recognized modification of improving basic material characteristics. Radiation, which penetrated through specimens and reacted with the cross-linking agent, gradually formed cross-linking (3D net), first in the surface layer and then in the total volume, which resulted in considerable changes in specimen behaviour. This research paper deals with the possible utilization of irradiated PA6. The material already contained a special cross-linking agent TAIC (5 volume %), which should enable subsequent cross-linking by ionizing β – radiation (15, 30 and 45 kGy). The effect of the irradiation on mechanical behavior of the tested PA 6 was investigated. Material properties created by β – radiation are measured by nanoindentation test using the DSI method (Depth Sensing Indentation). Hardness increased with increasing dose of irradiation at everything samples; however results of nanoindentation test shows increasing in nanomechanical properties of surface layer. The highest values of nanomechanical properties were reached radiation dose of 45 kGy, when the nanomechanical values increased by about 95%. These results indicate advantage cross-linking of the improved mechanical properties.

scholarly journals Determinants of mechanical properties in the developing ovine thoracic aorta

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (4) ◽  
pp. H1385-H1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Wells ◽  
B. Lowell Langille ◽  
J. Michael Lee ◽  
S. Lee Adamson
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Tensile Stress ◽  
Thoracic Aorta ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Postnatal Life ◽  
Collagen Cross Linking

We previously reported changes in mechanical properties and collagen cross-linking of the ovine thoracic aorta during perinatal development and postnatal maturation, and we now report changes in biochemical composition (elastin, collagen, and DNA contents per mg wet wt) over the same developmental intervals. A comparison of results from the present and previous studies has yielded novel and important observations concerning the relationship between aortic mechanics and composition during maturation. Developmental changes in aortic incremental elastic modulus at low tensile stress ( E low) closely followed changes in relative elastin content (i.e., per mg wet wt). An 89% increase in E low during the perinatal period was associated with a 69% increase in relative elastin content, whereas neither variable changed during postnatal life. Incremental elastic modulus at high tensile stress ( E high) did not change during the perinatal period but increased 88% during postnatal life. This pattern closely paralleled changes in collagen cross-linking index, which did not change perinatally but almost doubled postnatally. In contrast, relative collagen content (per mg wet wt) increased only slightly from fetal to adult life, a trend that was unrelated to aortic mechanics. Substantial, progressive decreases in measures of wall viscosity (pressure wave attenuation coefficient and viscoelastic phase angle) from fetal to adult life followed the pattern observed for relative DNA (smooth muscle cell) content (per mg wet wt). Our findings suggest that accumulation of elastin per milligram wet weight contributes most to developmental changes in E low, change in collagen cross-linking is the primary determinant of developmental changes in E high, and cell accumulation contributes most to developmental changes in wall viscosity.

Improvement in Mechanical Properties of High Concentration Particle Doped Thermoset Composites

2010 ◽  
Vol 442 ◽  
pp. 335-341
Author(s):  
N. Ahmed ◽  
Mohammad Bilal Khan
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Chain Extension ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Viscoelastic Composite ◽  
Thermoset Composites ◽  
Storage And Loss Moduli ◽  
Base Polymer ◽  
Sequential Addition

The paper relates to high concentration particle doped composites based on thermosetting polymer systems in which the sequential addition of particles of certain size distribution is followed by curing and casting of the slurry to form a thermoset composite. Conventionally, at a threshold of beyond 90% of particles by weight of the polymer using triglyceride, the mechanical properties of the composite exhibit a sharp decline. The present research mitigates this behavior by incorporating a unique combination of cross-linking agents in the base polymer to impart exceptional mechanical properties to the composite. More specifically, the base polymer consists of butadiene, with triglyceride as cross-linking agent together with hydroxy-alkane as the chain extension precursors, when tune to the appropriate level of hard segment ratio in the polymer. An added advantage according to the present work resides in the analytical nature of butadiene pre-polymer as opposed to natural product; traditional composites based on natural sources are hampered by their inconsistent chemical composition and poor shelf life in the fabricated composite. The thermoset composite according the present research exhibits superior tensile strength (200-300 psi) properties using particle loading as high as 92% by weight of the fabricated composite as measured on a Tinius Olsen machine. Dynamic Mechanical Testing reveals interesting combination of storage and loss moduli in the fabricated specimens as a function of optimizing the thermal response of the viscoelastic composite to imposed vibration loading.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document