Hydrogels for Artificial Muscles

Major Project Presentation

Supervised by, Dr. Sureyya Saricilar Prof. Geoffrey Spinks

Submitted by, Karthika Prasad 3372194

AIM

Attempt

to make double network hydrogels fit enough to work as actuators for artificial muscles.

Introduction
Hydrogels - water swollen three dimensional networks of polymer chains. Quite similar to biological systems.

Interesting stimuli response Wide applications in biological system

Why double network Clickhydrogel styles to edit Master text ?

Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level

Compression of Single Network hydrogel

Compression of Double Network Hydrogel

EXPERIMENTAL

The pH response of various thickness of hydrogels studied Swelling and Mechanical properties of 1.5mm thick PAMPS-AAc DN hydrogel studied

Materials used

2-acrylamido-2-methyl propanesulfonic acid (PAMPS) Potassium persulphate(KPS), N,N methylene bis acryl amide, (NMBA) Acrylic acid, (AAc) 2-hyroxy-2-methylpipus phenone Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate

Preparation of Hydrogels
DN hydrogel was synthesized by polyemerization technique
1st Network Desired concentrations of PAMS, KPS and NMBA mixed Was kept oven at 60 C for 24 hours. 2nd Network AAc, 2-hyroxy-2-methylpipus phenone and Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate were mixed at desired concentrations

DN hydrogel

1st network was immersed in the 2nd network solution Kept under UV for 6 hours to let polymerization take place.

Experimental

lick to edit Master text styles Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level

1.5mm

0.5mm

0.16mm

Materials of various thickness were used to prepare gels

Swelling experiment

PAMPS/AAc hydrogels samples were cut into circles and were socked in buffer solutions with pH values varying from 2.14 to 7.96. Increase in the weight of hydrogel were noted in each case.

Mechanical Tests

Compression Compression tests were carried out using a mechanical tester ( Instron ). Circular shaped gel samples swollen in buffer solution of varying pH (2.14, 2.91.3.72.4.72,5.72.6.91.7.96) were used.

Mechanical tests

Tensile test
The samples were cut into dumbbell shape. Procedure similar as compression test using the INSTRON testing machine. Samples were then placed into different buffer solutions of pH varying from pH 2.2 to pH 7.96.

Actuation test
The pH sensitivity of the DN hydrogels was tested by performing actuation test Gels were cut into rectangular pieces and were soaked in pH 2.14 and pH 7.96 to reach equilibrium Gels of 3 different thicknesses thats 1.5mm, 0.5mm and 0.16mm were used to do the actuation test.

Results and Discussion

General comments

The samples were dried after equilibrium swelling have been attained Equilibrium water content = [(Ws Wd)/Wd]* 100 Ws and Wd are the weights of swollen and the dry hydrogel respectively

Swelling experiments

Fig:1 Swelling behavior of DN hydrogel at different pH

Swelling experiment
Samples showed a tremendous increase in their weights for the first 4 hours Gels from pH 2.14 to pH 3.72 and from pH 5.72 to pH 7.96 are in swollen state Gel at pH 4.72 was in shrunken state and was opaque due to the salt effect between the COOion in the 2nd network and K+ ion present in the electrolyte

Mechanical tests Compression

Graphical representation of Compressive behavior of hydrogels at different pH
12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 Strain (mm/mm) 8 10 12

Stress (Mpa)

Compression contd
Compressive stress varied from 0.3MPa to 3.3Mpa with 99% strain at all the cases The modules varied from 30KPa to 340KPa Modules was calculated by dividing stress with strain Gels were strong at pH less than 4 due to hydrogen bonding

Tensile test
Tensile strenth- 1.5mm thick wire
12 10 8

Tensile Stress (MPa)

6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Tensile Strain %

Fig :3 Tensile stress-strain behavior at pH2.14 to pH 7.96

Tensile test cond..

Fracture strain of 1120% at lower pH (pH 2.14) and around 120% at higher pH (pH 6.91) Fracture strength varied from 0.09MPa (pH 6. 91) to 0.5Mpa (pH 2.14). First linear part of the tensile curve gave the Youngs Modulus of each sample Modulus varied from 165KPa (pH 6.91) to 346 KPa(pH 2.14)

Actuation test
Gels of varying thickness were used Cyclic transaction between pH 4.72 and pH 7.96

Actuation test
Click to edit Master text styles Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level

Fig: 5 Cyclic actuation of 0.5mm thick gel

Actuation test
Click to edit Master text styles Second level Third level Fourth level Fifth level

Fig: 6 Cyclic actuation of 0.16mm thick gel

Actuation test
The 1.5 mm thick wire took more time for expansion and contraction when compared to the other two. The transactions took place due to the effect of pH on the gel and due to the applied stress. Diffusion took place along the axis where force was applied.

Conclusion
Actuation behavior of the gel was studied with the help of testing swellability and mechanical properties of gel. The strength of the hydrogel was not as high as anticipated. As the thickness of the gel decreases, the quicker response towards pH will be showed by the gel.

Acknowledgement
Dr. Sureyya Saricilar,-whose encouragement, guidance and support from the initial to the final level enabled me to develop an understanding of the subject. Prof. Geoff Spinks, who made available his support in a number of ways. I am indebted to Dr. Philip Whitten and

Any Questions

?????