Tough Hydrogels Based on Macromicelles as Crosslinkers with pH and Ion Sensitive Properties

Abstract

Stimuli-sensitive hydrogels crosslinked by macromolecular micelles usually present good mechanical properties. In this paper, a novel kind of pH and ion sensitive hydrogels with high toughness and strength were prepared using Pluronic F127 diacrylate (F127DA) as crosslinking centers for the free radical copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) and methacrylate (MA) monomers. These hydrogels showed high strength and tensibility with elongation at break of 1208%, fracture stress of 328 kPa and toughness of 1.80 MJ/m-3. The hydrogels not only exhibited enhancement of mechanical performance, but also achieved sensitive response to changes of pH and ionic strength, making an approach for the development of applications in drug delivery and sensors.