Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9589-5452

Advisor

Kundu, Santanu

Committee Member

Toghiani, Hossein

Committee Member

Rai, Neeraj

Committee Member

Priddy, Lauren

Date of Degree

5-16-2025

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 6 months

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

Chemical Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering

Abstract

High-modulus, stretchable, and resilient hydrogels possess a wide array of promising applications across multiple fields, such as the development of sophisticated prosthetic devices, artificial skin, electronic devices, and soft robotics. Elastomeric biopolymers, like resilin, show high stretchability and resilience, facilitating power-amplified movement in various species essential for feeding and defense mechanisms. To mimic the properties of resilin, we developed a hydrogel system of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. These gels are synthesized by free radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AAc), methacrylamide (MAM), n-tert-beutylacrylamide (BAM) or n-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), and poly (propylene glycol) diacrylate (PPGDA). This research aims to compare the large-strain mechanical responses of gels with various compositions. The structures of these gels are complex due to the presence of many components, including the hydrophobic component, PPGDA. We have explored the network structure using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Our findings indicate that the chemical compositions and the balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic contents impact the gel's mechanical properties. The network structure is influenced by AAc, and hydrophobic PPGDA domains stabilized by dodecyl sulfate (SDS). In summary, our research advances the understanding of hydrogel structure-property relationships, which is crucial for their use across various applications.

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