Investigation of gel's mechanical properties and their spatial inhomogeneity

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15628
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 35020:Polymer materials-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University (2021); The University of Tokyo (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Li Xiang 北海道大学, 先端生命科学研究院, 准教授 (30759840)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ゲル / 小角散乱 / 構造欠陥

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Based on a gel with extremely low spatial inhomogeneity that has been successfully synthesized in recent years, we intentionally introduced spatial inhomogeneity without changing the basic unit, cross-linking agent, etc. We evaluated the effect of spatial defects on the mechanical properties of the gel. Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments revealed that the structural defects were successfully introduced as intended. The type, size, and volume fraction of the defects in the gel were also determined in detail. Furthermore, a method of small-angle X-ray scattering while elongating the gel has been established, which enables a more quantitative analysis of the scattering pattern, which was previously unclear.

Free Research Field

高分子材料

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

研究室や工業的に合成されるゲルには不可避に構造欠陥が多く含まれる。多くの場合において、これらの欠陥は意図したものではなく、制御することも極めて困難である。本研究では、極めて均一な網目構造を持つゲルをベースに用い、合成手法をほとんど変えない状態で、意図的に空隙とナノ凝集を導入することに成功した。さらに、それらに基づく散乱プロファイルも明らかにできた。これらの結果は一般的なゲルの構造を解析する上で重要な知見を与える。