Macromolecule conformational shaping for extreme mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fibers

Xiao-Qiao Wang, Kwok Hoe Chan, Wanheng Lu, Tianpeng Ding, Serene Wen Ling Ng, Yin Cheng, Tongtao Li, Minghui Hong, Benjamin C. K. Tee and Ghim Wei Ho ()
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Xiao-Qiao Wang: National University of Singapore
Kwok Hoe Chan: National University of Singapore
Wanheng Lu: National University of Singapore
Tianpeng Ding: National University of Singapore
Serene Wen Ling Ng: National University of Singapore
Yin Cheng: National University of Singapore
Tongtao Li: National University of Singapore
Minghui Hong: National University of Singapore
Benjamin C. K. Tee: National University of Singapore
Ghim Wei Ho: National University of Singapore

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Mechanical properties of hydrogels are crucial to emerging devices and machines for wearables, robotics and energy harvesters. Various polymer network architectures and interactions have been explored for achieving specific mechanical characteristics, however, extreme mechanical property tuning of single-composition hydrogel material and deployment in integrated devices remain challenging. Here, we introduce a macromolecule conformational shaping strategy that enables mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fiber based devices. Conformation of the single-composition polyelectrolyte macromolecule is controlled to evolve from coiling to extending states via a pH-dependent antisolvent phase separation process. The resulting structured hydrogel microfibers reveal extreme mechanical integrity, including modulus spanning four orders of magnitude, brittleness to ultrastretchability, and plasticity to anelasticity and elasticity. Our approach yields hydrogel microfibers of varied macromolecule conformations that can be built-in layered formats, enabling the translation of extraordinary, realistic hydrogel electronic applications, i.e., large strain (1000%) and ultrafast responsive (~30 ms) fiber sensors in a robotic bird, large deformations (6000%) and antifreezing helical electronic conductors, and large strain (700%) capable Janus springs energy harvesters in wearables.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31047-3

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