Thermosensitive hydrogels can be used in the preparation of smart grippers, valves or dressings[1], but are slowed down in their applications due to poor deformability and response kinetics. Thermosensitive microgel-embedding has emerged as a promising strategy for the preparation of Lower Critical Solubility Temperature polymer-based hydrogels with enhanced deswelling properties[2]. Upon heating, microgels shrink faster than the matrix owing to smaller sizes, generating pores which facilitate water exchanges enhancing deformability and deswelling kinetics. Herein, we adapted the strategy to prepare nanosized-gel-embedded hydrogels, which to our knowledge has not yet been studied. This work provides better understanding of the mechanisms of nano/microgel-embedding needed to fully benefit from this strategy.
[1] Alli, Y. A.; Anuar, H.; Bamisaye, A.; Manshor, M. R.; Etafo, N. O.; Bamidele, M. O.; Rasheed, M. A.; Olatunde, S. K.; Akinfenwa, A. S.; Lawal, A. The appealing prospect of hydrogel in 3D/4D printing technology: overview and opportunities. Polymer 2024, 315, 127823.a
[2] Lu, H.; Wen, X.; Wu, B.; Lu, J.; Su, M.; Zhang, K.; Ni, C. Constructing Dynamic Macropores in Thermo‐Responsive Hydrogel Actuator for Large‐Deformable Gripper. Macromolecular Rapid Communications 2024.