Alginate/PEO-PPO-PEO composite hydrogels with thermally-active plasticity.

摘要: Stimuli-responsive hydrogels with high strength and toughness have received significant interest in recent years. Here, we report thermally active composite comprising alginate one of two poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymers. Temperature-sensitive structural mechanical changes are probed using calorimetry, neutron scattering, shear rheology, unconfined compression, fracture. Below the lower gelation temperature, LGT, properties dominated by alginate. As LGT is reached, contribution PEO-PPO-PEO to activated, resulting order-of-magnitude increases elastic modulus. Under show evolution plasticity for as approached surpassed, dramatic fracture stress compared neat hydrogels. Plasticity was observed above may be attributed restructuring from slidin...