Mussel-inspired hybrid network hydrogel
Scientists have developed a mussel-inspired hybrid network hydrogel for continuous adhesion in water.
The mussel-inspired catechol-based strategy has been widely used in the development of adhesives. However, the properties of the obtained adhesives were still severely limited in a humid environment, particularly in water.
In a new study, a facile and versatile approach was proposed to prepare an underwater adhesion hydrogel. First, dopamine (DA) was grafted on oxidized carboxymethylcellulose (OCMC) to obtain dopamine-grafted oxidized carboxymethylcellulose (OCMC-DA). Second, the acrylamide (AM) monomer was conjugated with OCMC-DA by a Schiff base reaction, and then polymerised to form an OCMC-DA/PAM hydrogel. The properties of the resulting hydrogel have been fully characterised.
Excellent biocompatibility
The underwater adhesion strength of the hydrogel can reach as high as 86.3 ± 7.2 kPa and reduced to 43 ± 3.4 kPa after being immersed in water for 9 days. More remarkably, the scientists found that the maximal adhesion strength was shown when the G′ and G′′ of the hydrogel were very close. The adhesive hydrogel also exhibits excellent biocompatibility.
The study has been published in Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Issue 10, 2020.
Image source: Pixabay.
