Hydrogels are particularly useful in various applications as actuators, sensors, adsorbents, and materials in drug delivery systems. The normal hydrogels are limited on their applications because of their poor mechanical properties. Here, we synthesized the hydrogel that has high mechanical property by inorganic nanofiber, imogolite. Imogolite is a natural, hydrated aluminium silicate with a hollow tube structure and their synthetic processes are reported. The hydrogel was directly prepared by polymerization on hydroxide surface of imogolite that irradiated by gamma-ray at ambient condition. The gel structure was confirmed by small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and their mechanical properties are characterized by universal testing machine (UTM). The hydrogel can be elongated maximum 1800%. And hydrogel completely recovered their original shapes after release the elongation. SAXS data shows that hydrogel is able to align along its axis during elongation.

Synthesis of imogolite/polymer hydrogel by gamma ray radiation

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.