Enhancing the Toughness of PAA/LCNF/SA Hydrogel through Double-Network Crosslinking for Strain Sensor Application

Xin Li; Hui Gao; Qiang Wang; Shanshan Liu

doi:10.3390/polym16010102

journal article Open Access Dec 28, 2023

Enhancing the Toughness of PAA/LCNF/SA Hydrogel through Double-Network Crosslinking for Strain Sensor Application

Xin Li

Hui Gao

Qiang Wang

Shanshan Liu

Polymers Vol. 16 No. 1 pp. 102 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/polym16010102

Abstract

Lignin-containing nanocellulose fibers (LCNF) have been considered as a valuable enhancer for polyacrylic acid (PAA)-based hydrogels that can form rigid porous network structures and provide abundant polar groups. However, the PAA–LCNF hydrogel is dominated by a single-network (SN) structure, which shows certain limitations when encountering external environments with high loads and large deformations. In this paper, sodium alginate (SA) was introduced into the PAA–LCNF hydrogel network to prepare a double-network (DN) hydrogel structure of the SA-Ca2+ and PAA–LCNF through a two-step process. The covalent network of PAA–LCNF acts as the resilient framework of the hydrogel, while the calcium bridging networks of SA, along with the robust hydrogen bonding network within the system, function as sacrificial bonds that dissipate energy and facilitate stress transfer. The resulting hydrogel has porous morphologies. Results show that SA can effectively improve the mechanical properties of DN hydrogels and endow them with excellent thermal stability and electrical conductivity. Compared with pure PAA–LCNF hydrogel, the elongation at break of DN hydrogel increased from 3466% to 5607%. The good electrical conductivity makes it possible to use the flexible sensors based on DN hydrogel to measure electrophysiological signals. Our results can provide a reference for developing multifunctional hydrogels that can withstand ultra large deformation.

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Details

Published: Dec 28, 2023
Vol/Issue: 16(1)
Pages: 102
License: View

Authors

X

Xin Li

State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China

H

Hui Gao

State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Key Laboratory of Paper Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China

Q

Qiang Wang

State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Key Laboratory of Paper Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China

S

Shanshan Liu

State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China; Key Laboratory of Paper Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Light Industry, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250353, China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China Award: 32171714

Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation Award: 32171714

Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province Award: 32171714

the Fundamental research projects for integrating science, education, and industry of Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Award: 32171714

Outstanding Youth Innovation Team Project of Shandong Provincial University Award: 32171714

Cite This Article

Xin Li, Hui Gao, Qiang Wang, et al. (2023). Enhancing the Toughness of PAA/LCNF/SA Hydrogel through Double-Network Crosslinking for Strain Sensor Application. Polymers, 16(1), 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16010102

Enhancing the Toughness of PAA/LCNF/SA Hydrogel through Double-Network Crosslinking for Strain Sensor Application

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