Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering have developed a method of controlling the micro-porous structure of polymers and thus their diffusion and mechanical properties.
Background:
Hydrogels hold promise for various applications including solar vapor generation, drug delivery, and energy storage. These materials allow for the circulation and transport of liquids through them, allowing them to be used as very fine filters. Up until now, these materials have exhibited either good liquid diffusion, or good mechanical properties, but not both. Therefore, there is a need for an approach to producing them that overcomes this swelling-mechanical property trade-off.
Innovation:
The inventors have developed a method for a novel template-free synthesis platform using the cononsolvency effect for generating hierarchical porous polymer materials that have ultrafast and enhanced tunable properties. This technology produces a hydrogel having an open porous network with continuous microchannels, leading to record-high volumetric (de)swelling speeds (almost an order of magnitude higher than reported works). This swelling enhancement comes with a simultaneous improvement in Young’s modulus and toughness over conventional hydrogels fabricated in a pure solvent. The resulting fast mass transport enables in-air operation of hydrogel via rapid water replenishment and ultra-fast actuation. The method is compatible with 3D printing. Such open-porous polymers can serve as templates for fabricating various non-polymer materials with similar micro-structures.
Potential Applications:
- Atmospheric water harvesting
- Separator membrane for lithium-ion batteries
- Catalyst loading
- Soft robotics
- Vapor generation
- Tough gels
Advantages:
- Ultrafast, enhanced, and tunable molecular transport
- Scalable
- Low cost
- Wide range of applications
- Simple implementation
Status of Development:
First successful proof-of-concept demonstration has been accomplished.
Related Papers (from the inventor only): https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202008235