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Structural and mechanical properties of composite hydrogels composed of clay and a polyelectrolyte prepared by mixing

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Abstract

We investigated the structural, mechanical, and swelling properties of composite hydrogels consisting of clay, a dispersing agent (tetrasodium diphosphate), and sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) prepared by mixing. Regardless of the simple preparation method, the gel exhibits excellent properties such as mechanical toughness and high swelling ability. For production of the tough gels, it is important to disperse clay particles using the dispersing agent and to use high molecular weight PAAS for formation of bridge connecting different clay particles in a dispersed state. Synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering experiments reveal that PAAS was adsorbed on the positively charged edge of the clay particles.

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Acknowledgments

The synchrotron SAXS measurements were conducted under the approval of Photon Factory Program Advisory Committee (Proposals 2010G699 and 2010G134).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Faculty of Engineering, Gunma University, Kiryu, Gunma, 376-8515, Japan

    Hiroyuki Takeno & Wataru Nakamura

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  1. Hiroyuki Takeno
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  2. Wataru Nakamura
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Correspondence to Hiroyuki Takeno.

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Takeno, H., Nakamura, W. Structural and mechanical properties of composite hydrogels composed of clay and a polyelectrolyte prepared by mixing. Colloid Polym Sci 291, 1393–1399 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-012-2871-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-012-2871-z

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