Local conservation law of rubber elasticity in hydrogel networks undergoing microphase separation and toughening

Thermoresponsive polymer segments have been reported to induce lateral microphase separations due their switching transitions from a hydrophilic state hydrophobic one in hydrogels, which result shrinkage and collapse of the networks significantly improved mechanical strength. However, route are assembled into micelles during separations, thermoresponsive toughening mechanisms not fully understood. In this study, local conservation law rubber elasticity is firstly formulated describe micellization undergo separation. Flory-Huggins theory, interfacial free-energy equation extended Maxwell model then employed thermodynamics hydrogel, composed both segments. The mechanism further explored discussed based on proposed models. Finally, models verified using experimental results literature. This study provides new for hydrogels also critical insights physical principles govern molecular self-assembly.