Fabrication and Characterization of Multi-Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels with Robust Mechanical Properties, Good Self-Healing, and Substrate Adhesiveness Using a Traditional Chemical Crosslinker and Initiator-Free Approach
Mulenga Kalulu
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
Department of Chemistry, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, 10101 Zambia
Search for more papers by this authorOlayinka Oderinde
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Lead City University, Ibadan, 200255 Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorChristopher Mwanza
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
Department of Chemistry, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, 10101 Zambia
Search for more papers by this authorShephrah O. Ogungbesan
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
Search for more papers by this authorMuzammal Hussain
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Guodong Fu
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMulenga Kalulu
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
Department of Chemistry, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, 10101 Zambia
Search for more papers by this authorOlayinka Oderinde
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Lead City University, Ibadan, 200255 Nigeria
Search for more papers by this authorChristopher Mwanza
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
Department of Chemistry, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, 10101 Zambia
Search for more papers by this authorShephrah O. Ogungbesan
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
Search for more papers by this authorMuzammal Hussain
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Guodong Fu
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211189 P. R. China
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Hydrogels are essential in various applications, including biomedical fields, robotics, sensors, and wearable technologies. Traditional fabrication methods often involve chemical crosslinkers and initiators, which can introduce toxicity and limit practical use. This study presents an innovative approach to creating multifunctional, multi-stimuli-responsive hydrogels without using these traditional components. By polymerizing AMPS, DMAA, and MAA monomers using environmentally friendly AlCl3·6H2O as a crosslinker via UV polymerization, the study produces hydrogels exhibiting good mechanical properties such as tensile strength (3.02 ± 0.12 MPa), toughness (20.01 ± 1.8 J m−3), superior stretchability (2182.4 ± 114% elongation), and good compression resistance in addition to possessing self-healing capabilities, ionic conductivity, and responsiveness to temperature, pH, and ionic strength. This innovative technique represents a significant advancement toward developing sustainable hydrogels suitable for diverse biomedical, robotic, and sensor, technology applications.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Open Research
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Supporting Information
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| macp202400471-sup-0001-SuppMat.docx15.5 KB | Supporting Information |
| macp202400471-sup-0002-VideoS1.mp47.7 MB | Supplemental Video 1 |
| macp202400471-sup-0003-VideoS2.mp436.7 MB | Supplemental Video 2 |
| macp202400471-sup-0004-VideoS3.mp434.7 MB | Supplemental Video 3 |
| macp202400471-sup-0005-VideoS4.mp45.5 MB | Supplemental Video 4 |
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