Ionic Aromatic Gel Composition for High-Water Mechanical Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gel materials exhibit insufficient mechanical properties due to the plasticizing effect of the liquid they hold, leading to softness and low tensile elastic modulus.
Innovation Solution
A gel material composed of anionic and cationic monomers with polymerizable carbon-carbon multiple bonds and aromatic rings, cross-linked through ionic bonds, achieving a high water content and excellent mechanical properties with a tensile elastic modulus of 9 MPa to 1000 MPa and tensile elongation at break of 200% to 5000%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gel materials hold liquid (water) therein, then liquid-holding properties are improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate due to plasticizing effect leading to softness and low tensile elastic modulus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials principle by combining polymers cross-linked through covalent bonds with polymers cross-linked through physical interactions (ionic bonding, electrostatic interaction, or hydrophobic interaction). This creates a dual-crosslinking network structure that maintains high water content while significantly improving tensile elastic modulus and mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between liquid-holding capacity and mechanical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the crosslinking density parameter by controlling the ratio of cross-linked polymer content to total polymer content (where cross-linked polymer content is 10-90 wt%). By adjusting this parameter within the specified range, the material achieves optimal balance between water content and mechanical strength, transforming the soft gel into a material with tensile elastic modulus of 1 MPa to 1000 MPa
2Ease of manufacture
If ionically bound gel materials are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but mechanical properties deteriorate due to low tensile elastic moduli
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two crosslinking mechanisms: covalent bonding (which provides strong mechanical properties) and ionic bonding (which provides ease of manufacture through simple mixing). The combination allows the gel to be manufactured by simple mixing of components while achieving high tensile elastic modulus through the covalent crosslinked network, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and mechanical strength
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The gel material maintains high tensile elastic modulus and hardness while retaining a high water content, suitable for various applications including medical devices, ophthalmic lenses, and industrial uses.
Implementation Method 1
polymers cross-linked by a physical interaction such as ionic bonding, electrostatic interaction, or hydrophobic interaction are also known
Implementation Method 2
Gel materials are materials having a three-dimensional network structure formed by cross-linking of polymers, which structure contains a liquid absorbed therein to form a swollen structure
Data Source
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Figure 6(i)~7
AI summary
Disclosed is a gel material having a high water content and excellent mechanical properties. The gel material includes repeating units derived from the following monomers (A) and (B): (A) an anionic monomer containing a polymerizable carbon-carbon multiple bond and an aromatic ring, and (B) a cationic monomer containing a polymerizable carbon-carbon multiple bond and an aromatic ring. The gel material has a water content of 20% by mass to 95% by mass, a tensile elastic modulus of 9 MPa to 1000 MPa, and a tensile elongation at break of 50% to 5000%.