2018 Volume 54 Issue 7 Pages 277-285
Polymer hydrogel is the unique（soft, wet, and environmentally friendly） materials in polymer science because its primary component is water. Nanocomposite hydrogel（NC gel） consisting of an organic（polymer） -inorganic（clay）network structure overcame severe drawbacks associated with conventional chemically cross-linked network. NC gels were prepared by in situ, free-radical polymerization with high yields under mild conditions（ambient or mildly heated temperature, without stirring）. Various shapes and different surface structures of NC gels are readily obtained using different templates. NC gels exhibit extraordinarily high mechanical toughness, high transparency（structural uniformity）, and a number of interesting new characteristics, which originate from the unique polymer-clay network structure. Herein, I present a comprehensive report on the recent developments in NC gel synthesis, network structure, and distinguished mechanical and thermos-responsive properties, in addition to various new functions related to the NC gelinterface, including the instant strong adhesive behavior of NC gel toward hydrophilic porous materials.
