Nano-structured smart hydrogels with rapid response and high elasticity

Smart hydrogels, or stimuli-responsive hydrogels, are three-dimensional networks composed of crosslinked hydrophilic polymer chains that are able to dramatically change their volume and other properties in response to environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH and certain chemicals. Rapid and significant response to environmental stimuli and high elasticity are critical for the versatility of such smart hydrogels. Here we report the synthesis of smart hydrogels which are rapidly responsive, highly swellable and stretchable, by constructing a nano-structured architecture with activated nanogels as nano-crosslinkers. The nano-structured smart hydrogels show very significant and rapid stimuli-responsive…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 21136006
• SU
  Sichuan University
• PF
  Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University

  Award: IRT1163