Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Reinforcement effect of multilayer graphene in PVA hydrogel during large strain tension

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Polymer Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hydrogels have been widely studied as promising materials in several applications, such as wearable devices, electronic skin, soft robot, artificial muscle and articular cartilage, due to their numerous prominent performances. However, the inferior mechanical property, especially difficult for hydrogels to simultaneously obtain high tensile strength and elongation, limits their further clinical application. Thus, here we used the multilayer and single layer graphene (MG and SG) as reinforcement fillers to improve the mechanical performances of neat polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels. Our results showed that the high tensile strength and fracture elongation were simultaneously obtained from PVA/0.20wt%MG hydrogel, which were higher than those of PVA/SG hydrogel. Further, the elastic modulus of PVA/graphene composites was measured by calculating the effective modulus of SG and MG within PVA matrix from the Raman shift of D peak for the PVA/SG and PVA/MG composite hydrogel, respectively. The findings demonstrate the possibility of in situ exfoliation of MG in hydrogels under large tensile strain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

All relevant data are within the paper.

References

  1. Feng H, Ma Y, Zhang Z et al (2022) Reversing hydrogel adhesion property via firmly anchoring thin Adhesive Coatings. Adv Funct Mater 32:2111278

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Matsuda T, Kawakami R, Namba R et al (2019) Mechanoresponsive self-growing hydrogels inspired by muscle training. Science 363:504–508

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ryplida B, Lee KD, In I, Park SY (2019) Light-Induced Swelling-Responsive Conductive, Adhesive, and Stretchable Wireless Film Hydrogel as Electronic Artificial skin. Adv Funct Mater 29:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Jiang C, Wu C, Li X et al (2019) All-electrospun flexible triboelectric nanogenerator based on metallic MXene nanosheets. Nano Energy 59:268–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang Q, Liu Z, Tang C et al (2021) Tough interfacial adhesion of Bilayer Hydrogels with Integrated shape memory and Elastic Properties for controlled shape deformation. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 13:10457–10466

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Chen Q, Zhang X, Chen K et al (2022) Anisotropic hydrogels with enhanced mechanical and tribological performance by magnetically oriented nanohybrids. Chem Eng J 430:133036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Wei J, Zhang X, Wang F et al (2023) One-step preparation of highly viscoelastic, stretchable, antibacterial, biocompatible, wearable, conductive composite hydrogel with extensive adhesion. Compos Sci Technol 231:109793

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Tang Z, Zhao M, Li N et al (2022) Self-healing, reusable and conductive cellulose nanocrystals-containing adhesives. Colloids Surf Physicochem Eng Asp 643:128797

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hua M, Wu S, Ma Y et al (2021) Strong tough hydrogels via the synergy of freeze-casting and salting out. Nature 590:594–599

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Shi Y, Liu J, Li JL et al (2022) Improved mechanical and tribological properties of PAAm/PVA hydrogel – Ti6Al4V alloy configuration for cartilage repair. J Polym Res 29:515

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Wang W, Cai T, Cheng Z et al (2022) A shape programmable MXene-based supermolecular nanocomposite film. Compos Part A 159:106997

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kanca Y, Milner P, Dini D, Amis AA (2018) Tribological evaluation of biomedical polycarbonate urethanes against articular cartilage. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 82:394–402

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Cui F, Wang J, Zehnder A, Hui CY (2021) Effect of drying on the viscoelastic response of a dual-crosslinked PVA hydrogel. Mech Mater 160:103984

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Darabi MA, Khosrozadeh A, Wang Y et al (2020) An alkaline based method for generating crystalline, strong, and shape memory polyvinyl alcohol biomaterials. Adv Sci 7:1902740

  15. Ghosh TN, Bhunia AK, Pradhan SS, Sarkar SK (2020) Electric modulus approach to the analysis of electric relaxation and magnetodielectric effect in reduced graphene oxide–poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 31:15919–15930

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Morimune-Moriya S, Goto T, Nishino T (2019) Effect of aspect ratio of graphene oxide on properties of poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites. Nanocomposites 5:84–93

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Liu M, Long X, Tang H et al (2022) The formation of uniform graphene-polyaniline hybrids using a completely miscible cosolvent that have an excellent electrochemical performance. New Carbon Mater 37:381–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zhao X, Zhang Q, Chen D, Lu P (2010) Enhanced mechanical properties of graphene-based polyvinyl alcohol composites. Macromolecules 43:2357–2363

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Surudžić R, Janković A, Mitrić M et al (2016) The effect of graphene loading on mechanical, thermal and biological properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene nanocomposites. J Ind Eng Chem 34:250–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Yang X, Li L, Shang S, Tao Xm (2010) Synthesis and characterization of layer-aligned poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene nanocomposites. Polymer 51:3431–3435

  21. Shao L, Li J, Zhang Y et al (2014) The effect of the reduction extent on the performance of graphene/poly(vinyl alcohol) composites. J Mater Chem A 2:14173–14180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang S, Liu P, Zhao X, Xu J (2017) Preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol)-grafted graphene oxide/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites via in-situ low-temperature emulsion polymerization and their thermal and mechanical characterization. Appl Surf Sci 396:1098–1107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gong L, Young RJ, Kinloch IA et al (2012) Optimizing the reinforcement of polymer-based nanocomposites by graphene. ACS Nano 6:2086–2095

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Li Z, Young RJ, Kinloch IA (2013) Interfacial stress transfer in graphene oxide nanocomposites. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 5:456–463

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Li Z, Kinloch IA, Young RJ (2016) The role of interlayer adhesion in graphene oxide upon its reinforcement of nanocomposites. Philos Trans R Soc A 374:20150283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Gong L, Young RJ, Kinloch IA et al (2013) Reversible loss of bernal stacking during the deformation of few-layer graphene in nanocomposites. ACS Nano 7:7287–7294

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Rafiee MA, Rafiee J, Wang Z et al (2009) Enhanced mechanical properties of nanocomposites at low graphene content. ACS Nano 3:3884–3890

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ismail Z, Abdullah AH, Zainal Abidin AS, Yusoh K (2017) Application of graphene from exfoliation in kitchen mixer allows mechanical reinforcement of PVA/graphene film. Appl Nanosci 7:317–324

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Shi Y, Xiong D, Liu Y et al (2016) Swelling, mechanical and friction properties of PVA/PVP hydrogels after swelling in osmotic pressure solution. Mater Sci Eng C 65:172–180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Kuilla T, Bhadra S, Yao D et al (2010) Recent advances in graphene based polymer composites. Prog Polym Sci 35:1350–1375

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Allen MJ, Tung VC, Kaner RB (2010) Honeycomb carbon: a review of graphene. Chem Rev 110:132–145

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Bao C, Guo Y, Song L, Hu Y (2011) Poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites based on graphene and graphite oxide: a comparative investigation of property and mechanism. J Mater Chem 21:13942–13950

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Liang J, Huang Y, Zhang L et al (2009) Molecular-level dispersion of graphene into poly(vinyl alcohol) and effective reinforcement of their nanocomposites. Adv Funct Mater 19:2297–2302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Shi Y, Xiong D, Li J, Wang N (2016) The water-locking and cross-linking effects of graphene oxide on the load-bearing capacity of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel. RSC Adv 6:82467–82477

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Goiti E, Salinas MM, Arias G et al (2007) Effect of magnetic nanoparticles on the thermal properties of some hydrogels. Polym Degrad Stab 92:2198–2205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Shi Y, Xiong D, Li J, Wang N (2016) In situ reduction of graphene oxide nanosheets in poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel by γ-ray irradiation and its influence on mechanical and tribological properties. J Phys Chem C 120:19442–19453

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Yang J, Kang F, Wang X, Zhang Q (2022) Design strategies for improving the crystallinity of covalent organic frameworks and conjugated polymers: a review. Mater Horizons 9:121–146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Peng X, He C, Liu J, Wang H (2016) Biomimetic jellyfish-like PVA/graphene oxide nanocomposite hydrogels with anisotropic and pH-responsive mechanical properties. J Mater Sci 51:5901–5911

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Mohiuddin TMG, Lombardo A, Nair RR et al (2009) Uniaxial strain in graphene by Raman spectroscopy: G peak splitting, Grüneisen parameters, and sample orientation. Phys Rev B 79:205433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Soule DE, Nezbeda CW (1968) Direct basal-plane shear in single-crystal Graphite. J Appl Phys 39:5122–5139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Li Z, Chu J, Yang C et al (2018) Effect of functional groups on the agglomeration of graphene in nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 163:116–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Ferralis N (2010) Probing mechanical properties of graphene with Raman spectroscopy. J Mater Sci 45:5135–5149

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Lee C, Wei X, Kysar JW, Hone J (2008) Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene. Science 321:385–388

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This project is supported by the Fundamental Research Project of Guizhou Science and Technology Department (QKHJC[2020]1Y230 and QKHJC[2019]1085).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Yan Shi, Jia Liu, Long Li & Rongzong Zheng

  2. School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK

    Jinhai Deng

  3. Hunan Hengkai Environmental Protection Group, Changsha, 410100, China

    Xian Hu

  4. Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK

    Huanxin Li

  5. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China

    Jianliang Li & Dangsheng Xiong

Authors
  1. Yan Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jinhai Deng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xian Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jia Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Long Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Rongzong Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Huanxin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jianliang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Dangsheng Xiong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yan Shi or Huanxin Li.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(DOCX 66.7 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shi, Y., Deng, J., Hu, X. et al. Reinforcement effect of multilayer graphene in PVA hydrogel during large strain tension. J Polym Res 30, 162 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-023-03551-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-023-03551-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation