Combining Mechanical Tuneability with Function: Biomimetic Fibrous Hydrogels with Nanoparticle Crosslinkers

Fibrous networks of biopolymers possess unique properties: mechanical stability at low concentrations, an extremely porous architecture, and strong stiffening small deformations. An outstanding challenge is to find methods that allow tailor the properties these bionetworks or their synthetic equivalents without changing polymer concentration, which simultaneously changes all other hydrogel properties. Here, dilute (0.1 wt.%) fibrous hydrogels are prepared crosslink them with functional rod-shaped nanoparticles. The crosslinking observed induce architectural change strongly affects a 40-fold increase in stiffness. effect strongest lowest particle concentrations (99.8% water) tailorable through tuning density. Moreover, nanoparticle components composite offer opportunity introduce additional functions; gels magnetic conductive reported. However, generic approach network decorated crosslinkers as presented this work, virtually any functionality may be introduced highly responsive hydrogels, providing guide design next generations multi-functional soft materials.