Hydrogels having enhanced elasticity and mechanical strength properties
First Claim
1. A method of forming a hydrogel material having enhanced mechanical strength properties comprising:
- (i) combining at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and a multi-olefinic crosslinking agent to form an admixture thereof;
(ii) subjecting the admixture to polymerization conditions, optionally further subjecting the admixture to foaming conditions substantially concurrent therewith, effective to form a hydrogel composite thereof;
(iii) combining at least one strengthening agent with the admixture prior to or after performing step (ii) so that said hydrogel composite contains said at least one strengthening agent; and
(iv) subjecting the hydrogel composite containing strengthening agent to strengthening conditions effective to afford the hydrogel material having enhanced strength properties, wherein said strengthening conditions entail (a) contacting the hydrogel composite with a chemical strengthening agent selected from at least one of an ionotropic gellation agent, a polyphenolic complexing agent, an acid, a latex compound, and a glue, or (b) cryogellation conditions.
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Abstract
Hydrogels having improved elasticity and mechanical strength properties are obtained by subjecting a hydrogel formulation containing a strengthening agent to chemical or physical crosslinking conditions subsequent to initial gel formation. Superporous hydrogels having improved elasticity and mechanical strength properties are similarly obtained whenever the hydrogel formulation is provided with a foaming agent. Interpenetrating networks of polymer chains comprised of primary polymer(s) and strengthening polymer(s) are thereby formed. The primary polymer affords capillary-based water sorption properties while the strengthening polymer imparts significantly enhanced mechanical strength and elasticity to the hydrogel or superporous hydrogel. Suitable strengthening agents can be natural or synthetic polymers, polyelectrolytes, or neutral, hydrophilic polymers.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of forming a hydrogel material having enhanced mechanical strength properties comprising:
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(i) combining at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and a multi-olefinic crosslinking agent to form an admixture thereof;
(ii) subjecting the admixture to polymerization conditions, optionally further subjecting the admixture to foaming conditions substantially concurrent therewith, effective to form a hydrogel composite thereof;
(iii) combining at least one strengthening agent with the admixture prior to or after performing step (ii) so that said hydrogel composite contains said at least one strengthening agent; and
(iv) subjecting the hydrogel composite containing strengthening agent to strengthening conditions effective to afford the hydrogel material having enhanced strength properties, wherein said strengthening conditions entail (a) contacting the hydrogel composite with a chemical strengthening agent selected from at least one of an ionotropic gellation agent, a polyphenolic complexing agent, an acid, a latex compound, and a glue, or (b) cryogellation conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification