Preparation and Properties of Double Network Hydrogel with High Compressive Strength

Abstract

In this work, p–double network (p–DN) hydrogels were formed by the interpenetration of poly(2–acrylamide–2–methylpropanesulfonic acid–copolymer– acrylamide) microgel and polyacrylamide. The initial viscosity of prepolymer solution before hydrogel polymerization, mechanical properties, temperature and salt resistance of the hydrogels were studied. The results showed that the initial viscosity of the prepolymer was less than 30 mP·s, and the p–DN hydrogel not only exhibited high compressive stress (37.80 MPa), but the compressive strength of p–DN hydrogel could also reach 23.45 MPa after heating at 90 °C, and the compressive strength of p–DN hydrogel could reach 13.32 MPa after soaking for 24 h in the solution of 5W mineralization. In addition, the cyclic loading behavior of hydrogel was studied. The dissipation energy of p–DN hydrogel under 80% strain was 7.89 MJ/m3, which effectively dissipated energy. Meanwhile, p–DN hydrogel maintained its original form while breaking the pressure greater than 30 MPa, indicating excellent plugging performance.

Effects of Alkyl Ester Chain Length on the Toughness of PolyAcrylate-Based Network Materials

“…In general, the fracture of a polymer network begins with a tiny crack that propagates through the material, eventually leading to catastrophic failure. The extent of the energy concentration at the crack tip is considered to play an important role in the fracture process [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. In MA X , the energy dissipation via segmental motions should help dissipate the strain energy at the crack tip, delaying crack propagation and hence the fracture of the material.…”

Mechanically robust and rapidly degradable hydrogels for temporary water plugging in oilfields

“…For decades, researchers have made tremendous developments by constructing special network topologies to strengthen and toughen water‐plugging hydrogels 16–22 . Double network (DN) hydrogels are a pioneering design consisting of two asymmetric networks: a rigid and brittle network that dissipates energy, and a soft and ductile network that maintains structural integrity 23,24 .…”

“…Double network (DN) hydrogels are a pioneering design consisting of two asymmetric networks: a rigid and brittle network that dissipates energy, and a soft and ductile network that maintains structural integrity 23,24 . In addition, there is a synergistic effect between the two network polymer chains, giving DN hydrogels high mechanical strength and toughness along with excellent shear resistance and plugging properties 16 . Another promising approach is to construct homogeneous and efficient energy dissipation networks in hydrogel via introducing microgels, 25–28 slide rings, 29 supramolecular interactions 30–33 and macromolecular crosslinkers 34,35 .…”

“…For decades, researchers have made tremendous developments by constructing special network topologies to strengthen and toughen water-plugging hydrogels. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Double network (DN) hydrogels are a pioneering design consisting of two asymmetric networks: a rigid and brittle network that dissipates energy, and a soft and ductile network that maintains structural integrity. 23,24 In addition, there is a synergistic effect between the two network polymer chains, giving DN hydrogels high mechanical strength and toughness along with excellent shear resistance and plugging properties.…”

“…23,24 In addition, there is a synergistic effect between the two network polymer chains, giving DN hydrogels high mechanical strength and toughness along with excellent shear resistance and plugging properties. 16 Another promising approach is to construct homogeneous and efficient energy dissipation networks in hydrogel via introducing microgels, [25][26][27][28] slide rings, 29 supramolecular interactions [30][31][32][33] and macromolecular crosslinkers. 34,35 For instance, the cross-links in slide ring hydrogel can slide over linear polymer chains to release the stress in the network, resulting in nondestructive toughening of the hydrogel.…”