Preparation of high toughness nanocomposite hydrogel with UV protection performance and self-healing property

Abstract

An ultraviolet shielding hydrogel of P(NaSS-co-MPTC)/TiO₂ was prepared by introducing TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPS) into polyampholyte matrix through photo-initiated radical copolymerization of cationic monomer of 3-(methacrylamide) propyltrimethylammonium chloride (MPTC) and anionic monomer of sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate (NaSS) in the aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl). FTIR, XPS, TEM, XRD, and SEM were used to characterize the morphology and structure of hydrogel of P(NaSS-co-MPTC)/TiO_2. The result showed that anatase TiO₂ NPS with the size about 15 ~ 20 nm were not just acted as ultraviolet shielding agent and general photo-initiator, they also could be crosslinked in polyampholyte matrix by hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups on the surface of TiO₂ NPS and sulfonate groups on the polymer chains. Based on two kinds of reversible weak bonds of hydrogen bond and ionic bond, the P(NaSS-co-MPTC)/TiO₂ hydrogel exhibited excellent mechanical properties and self-healing ability at ambient conditions, which will greatly increase its service life being a UV inhibitor.

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