Physicomechanical and Morphological Characterization of Multi-Structured Potassium-Acrylate-Based Hydrogels

Abstract

In this work, a photo-polymerization route was used to obtain potassium acrylate-co-acrylamide hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties, well-defined microstructures in the dry state, and unique meso- and macrostructures in the hydrated state. The properties of the hydrogels depended on the concentration of the crosslinking agent. Mechanical properties, swelling capacity, and morphology were analyzed, showing a well-defined transition at a critical concentration of the crosslinker. In terms of morphology, shape-evolving surface patterns appeared at different scales during swelling. These surface structures had a noticeable influence on the mechanical properties. Hydrogels with structures exhibited better mechanical properties compared to unstructured hydrogels. The critical crosslinking concentration reported in this work (using glycerol diacrylate) is a reference point for the future preparation of multistructured acrylic hydrogel with enhanced properties.

Analysis of Surface and Physicochemical Properties of Novel Hydrogel Materials Supported with Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…On the other hand, for DAG concentrations below 4% w/w, they observed an irregular alignment of the hydrogel surface. The authors concluded that glycerol diacrylate (DAG) affects the morphology of the hydrogel surface, leading to the formation of structures of different scales and shapes depending on its concentration, which is important for the design of materials with specific surface properties [41]. When designing hydrogel materials, it is important to precisely define their intended use, so that their properties can be controlled, depending on a number of parameters.…”

Editorial on Special Issue “Advances in Hydrogels”

“…Liu and colleagues summarized the types of photo-crosslinked hydrogel monomers, the methods for the preparation of photo-crosslinked hydrogels with different morphologies, and their applications in biomedical engineering [ 1 ]. Gradilla-Orozco et al prepared a multi-structured poly(potassium acrylate-co-acrylamide)-based hydrogel with a fractal-like structure via photo-crosslinking [ 2 ]. Sabel-Grau and co-workers developed a poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate (PEG-DA)-based photo-crosslinked hydrogel [ 3 ].…”