Keywords

hierarchical structure in biomimetic hydrogels, micelle-based porous network formation, multiscale control of mechanical properties

Abstract

While hierarchical ordering is a distinctive feature of natural tissues and is directly responsible for their diverse and unique properties, research efforts to synthesize biomaterials have primarily focused on using molecular-based approaches without considering multiscale structure. Here, we report a bottom-up self-assembly process to produce highly porous hydrogels that resemble natural tissues both structurally and mechanically. Randomly oriented, physically crosslinked nanostructured micelles form the walls of aligned, polymer-rich pore walls that surround water-rich cavities. Extremely soft elastic modulus (<  1 kPa), highly stretchability (greater than 12-times), strain-hardening, and completely reversible deformation result from the hierarchical structure. Independent control of nano and macroscales is realized through the combination of polymer macromolecular parameters and processing conditions, directly impacting the resulting phase behavior. Here, we demonstrate precise control of the material structure and structure orientation over many orders of magnitude (e.g., nm – µm), and reveal how the multiscale structure directly impacts mechanical properties.

Original Publication Citation

Elisabeth Lloyd, Rami Alhasan, Sujata Dhakal et al. Hierarchical, Porous Hydrogels Demonstrating Structurally Dependent Mechanical Properties, 30 May 2023, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2954017/v1]

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2023-05-30

Publisher

Research Square

Language

English

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering

Department

Chemical Engineering

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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