Hydro-locking in hydrogel for extreme temperature tolerance
成果类型：
Article
署名作者：
Zhang, Xiaochen; Li, Dong; Yang, Xuxu; Wang, Lei; Li, Guo; Wong, Tuck-Whye; Li, Tiefeng; Yang, Wei; Luo, Zisheng
署名单位：
Zhejiang University; Zhejiang University; Zhejiang University; Zhejiang University
刊物名称：
SCIENCE
ISSN/ISSBN：
0036-13978
DOI：
10.1126/science.adq2711
发表日期：
2025-02-28
页码：
967-973
关键词：
摘要：
Hydrogels consist of cross-linked polymers that are highly swollen with water. Water evaporation or freezing during temperature changes may lead to stiff and brittle hydrogels. We introduce a strategy called hydro-locking, which involves immobilizing the water molecules within the polymer network of the hydrogel. This is accomplished by establishing robust connections between water molecules and the polymer by using sulfuric acid. A sacrificial network is introduced to shield the prime polymer network from collapsing. Under the hydro-locking mode, an alginate-polyacrylamide double-network hydrogel remains soft and stretchable within a temperature range that spans from -115 degrees to 143 degrees C. The strategy works with a range of hydrogels and solutions and may enable the preservation and observation of materials or even living organisms at extreme temperatures.