
AbstractMicrogels (μgels) swiftly undergo structural and functional degradation when they are exposed to shear forces, which potentially limit their applicability in, e.g., biomedicine and engineering. Here, poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam) μgels that resist mechanical disruption through supramolecular hydrogen bonds provided by (+)‐catechin hydrate (+C) are synthesized. When +C is added to the microgel structure, an increased resistance against shear force exerted by ultrasonication is observed compared to μgels crosslinked by covalent bonds. While covalently crosslinked μgels degrade already after a few seconds, it is found that μgels having both supramolecular interchain interactions and covalent crosslinks show the highest mechanical durability. By the incorporation of optical force probes, it is found that the covalent bonds of the μgels are not stressed beyond their scission threshold and mechanical energy is dissipated by the force‐induced reversible dissociation of the sacrificial +C bonds for at least 20 min of ultrasonication. Additionally, +C renders the μgels pH‐sensitive and introduces multiresponsivity. The μgels are extensively characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared, Raman and quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. These results may serve as blueprint for the preparation of many mechanically durable μgels.
CROSS-LINKER, Polymers, SUSPENSIONS, Science, INTERNAL STRUCTURE, mechanical properties, DOUBLE-NETWORK HYDROGELS, RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES, OXIDATION, shear force, Catechin, PROBES, microgels, colloids, POLY(N-ISOPROPYLACRYLAMIDE), Caprolactam, GELS, Research Articles, optical force probes, Microgels, Q, POLYMER, Hydrogen Bonding, 624, sacrificial bonds, info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/624
CROSS-LINKER, Polymers, SUSPENSIONS, Science, INTERNAL STRUCTURE, mechanical properties, DOUBLE-NETWORK HYDROGELS, RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES, OXIDATION, shear force, Catechin, PROBES, microgels, colloids, POLY(N-ISOPROPYLACRYLAMIDE), Caprolactam, GELS, Research Articles, optical force probes, Microgels, Q, POLYMER, Hydrogen Bonding, 624, sacrificial bonds, info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/624
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 19 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
