Mechanical and electrical properties of hydrous electrorheological elastomers based on gelatin/glycerin/water hybrid

Abstract

Aimed at improving the stability of geometrical shape, mechanical performance, and particles dispersion of electrorheological (ER) hydrous elastomers, a new gelatin water-based elastic gels containing starch particles were prepared under an applied dc electric field, and their ER effects were described with the compression modulus and the electric resistivity. The result demonstrates that the mechanical and electrical properties of the ER elastomers are dominated by an externally applied electric field as well as the weight fraction of particles. On comparing with the same chemical composition, elastomers cured without a field and with barium titanate/gelatin water-based elastomer, some conclusions are suggested: the object elastomer has stronger responses to a field than the same chemical composition elastomer, especially with higher weight fractions of particles. The object elastomer has steady geometrical shape and mechanical performance because of the addition of glycerin into the matrix, and has a better dispersion of particles.

Electro-response characteristic of starch hydrogel crosslinked with Glutaraldehyde

“…That is because of hydrogen bond between the amino and carboxyl groups which restrains the polarization of active groups. [28] Starch, a natural matter of food and biomaterials, is inexpensive, easily prepared, nontoxic, biocompatible, and degradable in the environment. [30] Additionally, the large numbers of hydroxyl groups on the chains can lead to strong molecular interactions, which is conducive to generate intense electroresponse of the starch hydrogel (Scheme 1).…”

“…We have previously prepared gelatin composite hydrogel and studied its favorable electro-responsive properties. [27][28][29] Gelatin, as a biological macromolecule, contains amino and carboxyl groups which are active in forming the network structure of hydrogel. Such active groups in high polymer play very important roles in electrical stimulation response behavior of hydrogels.…”

“…The chain or column comes with a larger modulus of A-gel than that of Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition 553 corresponding B-gel in which particles disperse randomly and have a mere filler effect. [27][28][29] As a result, the two aspects contribute to make the composite gels have intensified response behavior.…”

Electric‐field response behaviors of chitosan/barium titanate composite hydrogel elastomers

“…However, the maximum elastic modulus increment sensitivity (Δ G / G R , where Δ G is the storage modulus increment, G R is the storage modulus of the elastomer cured without electric field) was only 79.32% under the measured electric field of 1 kV/mm. In addition, Gao and Zhao prepared starch/glycerin/gelatin hydrogel hybrid elastomers and found that the Δ G / G R attained a maximum value of 21.04% at a measured electric field of 2 kV/mm. Until now, there have been only a few examples of biomolecular hydrogels as matrixes of ER elastomers, such as gelatin, which are limited in green, environmentally friendly properties and low cost in cost , .…”

“…In addition, Gao and Zhao prepared starch/glycerin/gelatin hydrogel hybrid elastomers and found that the Δ G / G R attained a maximum value of 21.04% at a measured electric field of 2 kV/mm. Until now, there have been only a few examples of biomolecular hydrogels as matrixes of ER elastomers, such as gelatin, which are limited in green, environmentally friendly properties and low cost in cost , . In these reported works, the main problem with the elastomer has been that the elastic Δ G / G R is too low.…”