Synthesis and Characterization of Self-Healing Hydrogel

Woo, Yong Sheuan (2022) Synthesis and Characterization of Self-Healing Hydrogel. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

In this project, a hydrogel is prepared by a simple, inexpensive and environmentally friendly method by integrating glycerol, agar and graphite into poly (vinyl alcohol) to form an electrically conductive composite hydrogel with self-healing property. Such hydrogel is built on a non-toxic physical cross-linking network formed by the hydrogen bonding among PVA, agar, glycerol, and water, followed by freeze/thawing cycles. The effects of glycerol and the freeze/thawing cycle were studied in terms of physical, mechanical, and electrical properties. The techniques used to characterize the hydrogel were Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR), self-healing test, swelling test, compression test, and conductivity test. Analysis of the results demonstrates that the mechanical properties of the prepared hydrogel improve up to 2.57 Pa with increases in the concentration of glycerol. However, the swelling ratio and conductivity decrease with the addition of glycerol. All the PVA-based hydrogels showed self-healing with heat stimuli. Other than that, the mechanical properties of the prepared hydrogel show enhanced in the modulus up to 5.52 Pa with increases in the freeze/thawing cycles. However, reduce in swelling ratio and impedes the electrical conductivity. The hydrogel with conductive properties, good mechanical properties, swelling and self-healing properties gives the hydrogel various applications in the biomedical field.