%0 Journal Article
%A Mihajlovic, Marko
%A Staropoli, Mariapaola
%A Appavou, Marie-Sousai
%A Wyss, Hans M.
%A Pyckhout-Hintzen, Wim
%A Sijbesma, Rint P.
%T Tough Supramolecular Hydrogel Based on Strong Hydrophobic Interactions in a Multiblock Segmented Copolymer
%J Macromolecules
%V 50
%N 8
%@ 1520-5835
%C Washington, DC
%I Soc.
%M FZJ-2017-03439
%P 3333 - 3346
%D 2017
%X We report the preparation and structural and mechanical characterization of a tough supramolecular hydrogel, based exclusively on hydrophobic association. The system consists of a multiblock, segmented copolymer of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic dimer fatty acid (DFA) building blocks. A series of copolymers containing 2K, 4K, and 8K PEG were prepared. Upon swelling in water, a network is formed by self-assembly of hydrophobic DFA units in micellar domains, which act as stable physical cross-link points. The resulting hydrogels are noneroding and contain 75–92 wt % of water at swelling equilibrium. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements showed that the aggregation number of micelles ranges from 2 × 102 to 6 × 102 DFA units, increasing with PEG molecular weight. Mechanical characterization indicated that the hydrogel containing PEG 2000 is mechanically very stable and tough, possessing a tensile toughness of 4.12 MJ/m3. The high toughness, processability, and ease of preparation make these hydrogels very attractive for applications where mechanical stability and load bearing features of soft materials are required.
%F PUB:(DE-HGF)16
%9 Journal Article
%U <Go to ISI:>//WOS:000400233000027
%$ 28469284
%R 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00319
%U https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/829811