Fabrication and characterization of a polyacrylamide hydrogel nanocomposite crosslinked with ZIF-8 at room temperature and investigation of the effect of these MOFs on enhancing the mechanical properties of the hydrogel
Subject Areas : journal of New MaterialsSedigheh Tatian 1 , Hamid Reza Mohammadian Semnani 2 * , Sedigheh Zeinali 3
1 - Ph.D. Candidate, Nanomaterials Department, Faculty of Nanotechnology, Campus of New Sciences and Technologies, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
2 - Professor, Department of Metal Forming, Faculty of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
3 - Associate Professor, Department of Nano Chemical Engineering, Faculty of New Technologies, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Keywords: Hydrogels, Nanocomposites, Metal-Organic Frameworks, ZIF-8, Compressive Strength,
Abstract :
Introduction: Hydrogels, as hydrophilic polymer networks have widespread applications in medical fields and engineering domains due to their biocompatibility and flexibility. However, their mechanical weaknesses have limited their use in load-bearing applications. In this study, ZIF-8 was used as a nanofiller in a polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel matrix. The synthesis of ZIF-8 at room temperature was cost-effective and compatible with mild conditions.
Method: SEM, XRD and FTIR techniques and their underlying principles can be used to the study of MOF-hydrogel composites. Also, the mechanical properties of nanocomposite hydrogels are determined by analyzing the stress-strain curves.
Findings: SEM and XRD analyses confirmed that ZIF-8 was well-distributed within the polymer matrix without compromising its crystalline structure. Additionally, FTIR spectra revealed physical interactions between the nanoparticles and polymer chains. Mechanical tests demonstrated the addition of just 3 wt% ZIF-8 led to a 3000% increase in compressive strength compared to the pure hydrogel. Furthermore, samples containing less than 10 wt% ZIF-8 withstood compressive strains exceeding 90% without fracture, indicating a retention of flexibility alongside enhanced strength. This improvement is attributed to the reinforcing effect of the nanoparticles and the uniform stress distribution within the polymer network. The findings of this study prove that incorporating hydrogels with metal-organic frameworks like ZIF-8 can significantly mitigate their mechanical limitations.
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