Improved network formation in polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels via suppression of micellization
발표자
()
초록
내용
Physical hydrogels composed of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes have unique functions like sol-gel transition and self-healing. However, it is difficult to obtain both of high water content and excellent mechanical properties in the physical hydrogel. Generally, physical hydrogels can be easily obtained by using ABA triblock copolymers, where A blocks are charged blocks and B blocks are hydrophilic neutral blocks. At critical gelation concentration, ABA triblock copolymers construct a 3-dimensional polymer network through self-assembled micelles, especially flower-type micelles. In this case, the loop-shaped polymers do not contribute to connection of network at all, which lowers the efficiency of gel formation. Here, we propose new BABAB pentablock copolymers showing direct network formation rather than loop formation through suppression of micellization. The mechanism of the directly formed polymer network as well as the rheological properties of our hydrogels will be discussed.