Synlett 2022; 33(09): 879-884
DOI: 10.1055/a-1733-6310
cluster
Mechanochemistry

Mechanochemiluminescent Hydrogels for Real-Time Visualization of Chemical Bond Scission

Qing Li
a   Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences,Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. of China
,
Qi Wang
b   State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, P. R. of China
,
Yuan Yuan
a   Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences,Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. of China
,
Yulan Chen
a   Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Optoelectronic Sciences,Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. of China
b   State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, P. R. of China
› Author Affiliations
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 21975178 and 21734006) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant 2017YFA0207800 and 2017YFA0204503).


Abstract

Quantitative and real-time characterization of mechanically induced bond-scission events taken place in polymeric hydrogels is essential to uncover their fracture mechanics. Herein, a class of mechanochemiluminescent swelling hydrogels have been synthesized through a facile micellar copolymerization method using chemiluminescent bisacrylate-modified bis(adamantyl)-1,2-dioxetane (Ad) as a crosslinker. This design and synthetic strategy ensure intense mechanochemiluminescence from Ad located in a hydrophobic network inside micelles. Moreover, the mechanochemiluminescent colors can be tailored from blue to red by mixing variant acceptors. Taking advantages of the transient nature of dioxetane chemiluminescence, the damage distribution and crack evolution of the hydrogels can be visualized and analyzed with high spatial and temporal resolution. The results demonstrate the strengths of the Ad mechanophore and micellar copolymerization method in the study of damage evolution and fracture mechanism of swelling hydrogels.

Supporting Information



Publication History

Received: 13 November 2021

Accepted after revision: 07 January 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
10 January 2022

Article published online:
08 February 2022

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