Strain rate sensitive polyampholyte hydrogels via well-dispersed XLG sheets

The physical interactions between anionic and cationic monomers and the layered silicate clay mineral Laponite (XLG) have received great attention because of their potential for a variety of applications such as strain sensitive sensors, wearable electronics, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering applications. A detailed investigation of the interaction between XLG and charged monomers is presented in this article. The study includes the observation of the changes in the viscosity of the solutions and the mechanical performance of the gels at various concentrations by adding XLG to the ionic monomer solution. The ionic interactions between XLG and the charged monomers, driven by electrostatic forces, play a crucial role in gelation and formation of a three-dimensional network, giving the structure strain rate sensitivity. In this way, the addition of XLG nanoparticles not only improves the mechanical properties of the gels, but also gives us information about the microstructure of the mechanical properties that change depending on the strain rate.