Fig. 3

Nanostructural and mechanical property characterization of hydrogels. a Cryo-SEM image showing the self-assembled spherical micellar structure of the hydrogel formed using rapid-injection of a 10 wt% SOS(8-65-8) THF solution. b Cryo-SEM image of hydrogel sample from rapid-injection of a 10 wt% SOS(69-156-69) THF solution after sublimation showing the cellular network structure. c Experimental and simulated SAXS profiles for hydrogel samples using 10 wt% BOB(31-70-31) and 15 wt% IOI(17-53-17) THF solutions. d Stress-strain curves of hydrogels from using different triblock copolymer THF solutions. The strain rate used was 3 min⁻¹. Mechanical properties obtained from the curves are compiled in Supplementary Table 8. e Stress−strain curves of hydrogel from using a 15 wt% SOS(69-156-69) THF solutions measured at different strain rates. Under lower strain rates, the hydrogel can be stretched beyond 23 times of its original length. At large strain values, the stress−strain curve shows relaxation steps, suggesting possible occurrence of internal structure rearrangement and reformation. f Cyclic loading and unloading curves of hydrogel from using a 15 wt% SOS(8-65-8) THF solution at different elongation values. The strain rate used was 3 min⁻¹. Source data are provided as a Source Data file. THF tetrahydrofuran, SEM scanning electron microscopy, SAXS small-angle X-ray scattering