Anisotropic Self-Oscillating Gels Utilizing Interpenetrating Networks

A self-oscillation gel that performed anisotropic deformation behaviors was prepared by fixing the internal anisotropic structure using interpenetrated network. The anisotropic structure was formed by applying uniaxially stretching on a homogenous gel network. Then, the interpenetrated secondary network was constructed by in-situ photopolymerization to fix the orientation. The material processed anisotropic mechanical properties and anisotropic equilibrium swelling behavior. The anisotropic structure also transformed the intrinsic homogenous volume change of hydrogel into periodic elongation-shrinking deformation as the BZ reaction proceeding.