Synthesis of amphoteric nanocomposite hydrogels with ultrahigh tensibility

Amphoteric nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels) were synthesized by in situ copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and N[-3(dimethylamino)propyl] methacrylamide (DMAPMA) in an aqueous dispersion of laponite XLG. Mechanical analyses demonstrated that this type of hydrogels had a combination of high tensile strength and excellent stretchability. The tensile strength was increased by 5 times up to 316 kPa when the laponite content was increased from 0.1 wt% to 20 wt%, and a maximum fracture strain of 2,317% was achieved for hydrogels containing 3 wt% laponite. Additionally, the marked improvements in strength were achieved with minimal sacrifice of the tensibility. This work provided a continuation to previous efforts of the preparation and properties of ionic NC gels. POLYM. COMPOS. 36:538–544, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers