Fig. 1: Illustrative design of mechanically controlled polymerization and hydrogel remodeling by 2D MoS2.
From: Two dimensional MoS2 accelerates mechanically controlled polymerization and remodeling of hydrogel
Under mechanical stimulation, 2D MoS2 forms a piezoelectric potential (arrow symbol P shows the direction of polarization) to produce electrons (green ball) and holes (yellow ball), which promote the decomposition of the initiator. Vinyl monomers (blue ball) polymerize rapidly under strong mechanical forces. The PVA hydrogels undergo secondary cross-linking of acrylamide within the PVA hydrogels under mechanical stimulation, and the degree of cross-linking increases as the mechanical force (purple lightning symbol) increases. PVA/PAM: polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylamide hydrogel.
