Citation

Xiaofang Shi*, Nan Shi, Miaomiao Dang, Chengyu Ji, Yingjie Li, Peiyi Wu*, Zhiguo Hu*. Tailor-made high elasticity and low-hysteresis hydrogels based on asymmetric H-bonding crosslinking for wearable applications. Sci. China Chem. 2025, 68, ASAP.

Abatract

The conventional method of fabricating hydrogels constantly confronts the conflict between elasticity and toughness, limiting their repetitive application. Achieving the desired elasticity through a simple and low-cost approach is a significant challenge for hydrogels, particularly through rational molecular design. Here, low-hysteresis and high-toughness hydrogels are developed from the design of a new feature monomer, N-acryloylethylsemicarbazide (NACE). Based on a concept of “asymmetric H-bonding design”, the unique double and triple H-bonding of NACE can result in a novel asymmetric crosslinking polymer with alternating strong and weak H-bonding regions. The NACE is copolymerized with acrylamide (AM) to regulate the mechanical properties of hydrogel via H-bonding density. The P(NACE-AM) ionic hydrogels are obtained simply and rapidly via one-step photopolymerization without a chemical cross-linking agent. The P(NACE-AM) hydrogels combine superb mechanical elasticity and toughness, and excellent ionic conductivity, showing great potential as durable ionic conductive devices for wearable utilization.