College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Guangdong Provincial Bioengineering Institute (Guangzhou Sugarcane Industry Research Institute), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Improvement and Biorefinery, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Biomass High Value Utilization, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Biomass Comprehensive Utilization, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Biomass Comprehensive Utilization, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510316, China.
Carbohydr Polym. 2017 Aug 1;169:139-148. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.04.007. Epub 2017 Apr 4.
Cellulose nanocrystals are considered as promising biomass nanofillers for polymeric hydrogels, but poor interface compatibility between cellulose nanocrystals and hydrogel matrix usually reduces their reinforcement effect. Here, we reported a novel interface compatible nanocomposite hydrogel prepared by introducing quaternized tunicate cellulose nanocrystals (Q-TCNCs) into chemically cross-linked poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) networks. Q-TCNCs acted as both nanofillers and physical cross-linkers in the PAA networks, and the electrostatic interaction between the positive charges of Q-TCNCs and negative charges of PAA chains improved their interface compatibility. The nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited controllable swelling ratio and pH-sensitive swelling behaviors. The mechanical properties of hydrogels significantly increased after incorporation of Q-TCNCs. Moreover, the nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited partly recoverable ability due to the presence of reversible electrovalent bonds in the hydrogel networks.
纤维素纳米晶体被认为是有前途的用于聚合物水凝胶的生物质纳米填料，但纤维素纳米晶体与水凝胶基质之间较差的界面相容性通常会降低其增强效果。在这里，我们报道了一种新型的界面相容纳米复合水凝胶，通过将季铵化海鞘纤维素纳米晶体（Q-TCNC）引入到化学交联的聚丙烯酸（PAA）网络中制得。Q-TCNC 既可以作为纳米填料，也可以作为 PAA 网络中的物理交联剂，Q-TCNC 上的正电荷与 PAA 链上的负电荷之间的静电相互作用提高了它们的界面相容性。纳米复合水凝胶表现出可控的溶胀比和 pH 敏感的溶胀行为。在加入 Q-TCNC 后，水凝胶的力学性能显著提高。此外，由于水凝胶网络中存在可逆的离子键，纳米复合水凝胶表现出部分可恢复的能力。
