In Situ Preparation of Mechanically Enhanced Hydrogel via Dispersion Polymerization in Aqueous Solution

Abstract Hydrogels with improved mechanical properties can expand to a greater range of applications. The fabrication of conventional toughened hydrogels typically requires precise modifications, multiple components, and complex steps. Here, a straightforward “one‐step” polymerization method for the in situ preparation of hydrogels in aqueous solutions, is reported. Inspired by polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA), water‐miscible monomers are copolymerized during the hydrogel fabrication; the growing blocks eventually form physical bridges thus providing a mechanism for effective energy dissipation. The rheological and mechanical properties are evaluated and the results reveal that this strategy can be an effective approach to design mechanically enhanced hydrogels for a wide range of applications.