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3D printable strong and tough composite organo-hydrogels inspired by natural hierarchical composite design principles

Author

Listed:
  • Quyang Liu

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Xinyu Dong

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Haobo Qi

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Haoqi Zhang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Tian Li

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Yijing Zhao

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Guanjin Li

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Wei Zhai

    (National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Fabrication of composite hydrogels can effectively enhance the mechanical and functional properties of conventional hydrogels. While ceramic reinforcement is common in many hard biological tissues, ceramic-reinforced hydrogels lack a similar natural prototype for bioinspiration. This raises a key question: How can we still attain bioinspired mechanical mechanisms in composite hydrogels without mimicking a specific composition and structure? Abstracting the hierarchical composite design principles of natural materials, this study proposes a hierarchical fabrication strategy for ceramic-reinforced organo-hydrogels, featuring (1) aligned ceramic platelets through direct-ink-write printing, (2) poly(vinyl alcohol) organo-hydrogel matrix reinforced by solution substitution, and (3) silane-treated platelet-matrix interfaces. Unit filaments are further printed into a selection of bioinspired macro-architectures, leading to high stiffness, strength, and toughness (fracture energy up to 31.1 kJ/m2), achieved through synergistic multi-scale energy dissipation. The materials also exhibit wide operation tolerance and electrical conductivity for flexible electronics in mechanically demanding conditions. Hence, this study demonstrates a model strategy that extends the fundamental design principles of natural materials to fabricate composite hydrogels with synergistic mechanical and functional enhancement.

Suggested Citation

  • Quyang Liu & Xinyu Dong & Haobo Qi & Haoqi Zhang & Tian Li & Yijing Zhao & Guanjin Li & Wei Zhai, 2024. "3D printable strong and tough composite organo-hydrogels inspired by natural hierarchical composite design principles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-47597-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47597-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shixiang Zhou & Yijing Zhao & Kaixi Zhang & Yanran Xun & Xueyu Tao & Wentao Yan & Wei Zhai & Jun Ding, 2024. "Impact-resistant supercapacitor by hydrogel-infused lattice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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