Understanding complex dynamics of interfacial reconstruction in polyampholyte hydrogels undergoing mechano-chemo-electrotaxis coupling

Ziyu Xing, Ziyu Xing, Haibao Lu, Haibao Lu, Sun, Ansu, Fu, Richard, Shahzad, Muhammad Wakil and Xu, Bin (2021) Understanding complex dynamics of interfacial reconstruction in polyampholyte hydrogels undergoing mechano-chemo-electrotaxis coupling. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 54 (8). 085301. ISSN 0022-3727

[img]
Preview
Text
revised_manuscript_JPhysD_125288.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Download (1MB) | Preview
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/abc649

Abstract

Polyampholyte (PA) hydrogels have attracted significant attention for their superior mechanical strength and toughness compared with other conventional hydrogels. In this study, we present a novel thermodynamic approach to understanding the mechano-chemo-electrotaxis coupling and interfacial dynamics in PA hydrogels. Flory–Huggins theory, carried out through an interfacial free-energy model, is the foundation for the quantitative study of the mechanically constitutive relationship of the PA gels. The proposed free-energy model is further extended to describe the mechano-chemo-electrotaxis switching and interfacial dynamics by co-relating the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation and scaling laws. It was concluded that the interfacial bonding strength is the key factor influencing the mechanical strength and reconstruction reversibility of the PA macromolecular gel system. The resulting analytical outcomes showed good agreement with the reported experimental data. We opine that the proposed model will guide the future application of PA hydrogels.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: polyampholyte hydrogel, interfacial dynamics, coupling model
Subjects: H300 Mechanical Engineering
Department: Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Mechanical and Construction Engineering
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2020 14:37
Last Modified: 07 Dec 2021 03:30
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/44652

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics