About the Research
Research Theme
Development of materials functions by mutual inspiration of gels and chemical reactions
Keyword
Polymer Physics, Functional gels, Mechanochemistry
Research Outline
I am developing special chemical reactions in a gel as a special reaction field, and functionalization and toughening of the gel material by the developped chemical reaction. As an example, I have created muscle-iike self-growing material which increases their strength and size in response to mechanical stimuli.
Representative Research Achievements
- Mechanoresponsive Self-growing Hydrogels Inspired by Muscle Training
T. Matsuda, R. Kawakami, R. Namba, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong
Science, 2019, 363, 504-508
DOI: 10.1126/science.aau9533 - Hydrophobic Hydrogels with Fruit‐Like Structure and Functions
H. Guo, T. Nakajima, D. Hourdet, A. Marcellan, C. Creton, W. Hong, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong
Adv. Mater., 2019, 31, 1900702
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201900702 - Network Elasticity of a Model Hydrogel as a Function of Swelling Ratio: From Shrinking to Extreme Swelling State
K.-I. Hoshino, T. Nakajima, T. Matsuda, T. Sakai, J. P. Gong
Soft Matter, 2018, 14, 9693-9701
DOI: 10.1039/C8SM01854E - Phase Separation-Induced Anomalous Stiffening, Toughening, and Self-healing of Polyacrylamide Gels
K. Sato, T. Nakajima, T. Hisamatsu, T. Nonoyama, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong
Adv. Mater., 2015, 27, 6990-6998
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201502967 - A Universal Molecular Stent Method to Toughen any Hydrogels Based on Double Network Concept
T. Nakajima, H. Sato, Y. Zhao, S. Kawahara, T. Kurokawa, K. Sugahara, J. P. Gong
Adv. Funct. Mater., 2012, 22, 4426-4432
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201200809
Related Research
- Real-time, macro-scale visualization of molecular-scale mechanochemical damage in double-network hydrogels
- Azoalkane crosslinkers enable 5-fold increase in mechanoradical generation in double-network hydrogels
- Cellulose hydrogel with Achilles tendon-like super strength
Publications
2024
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Hydrogel Morphogenesis Induced by Force- Controlled Growth
, J. Lin, T. Nakajima, J. Gong, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2024, 121,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2402587121
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Effect of the Activation Force of Mechanophore on Its Activation Selectivity and Efficiency in Polymer Networks
, S. Wang, J. L. Jiang, Y. X. Hu, T. Nakajima, S. Maeda, S. L. Craig, J. P. Gong, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2024, 146, 13336-13346
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01879
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Effect of Predamage on the Fracture Energy of Double-Network Hydrogels
, Y. R. Wang, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, ACS Macro Lett., 2024, ,
DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00702
2023
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Role of Hierarchy Structure on the Mechanical Adaptation of Self-Healing Hydrogels under Cyclic Stretching
, K. P. Cui, Y. Zheng, Y. N. Ye, C. T. Yu, W. Q. Yang, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, Science Advances, 2023, 9, 51,
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj6856
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Azobenzene as a Photoswitchable Mechanophore
, B. Xue, J. H. Yang, J. L. Jiang, J. Liu, Y. Y. Zhou, J. S. Zhang, M. J. Wu, Y. Yuan, Z. S. Zhu, Z. J. Wang, Y. L. Chen, Y. Harabuchi, T. Nakajima, W. Wang, S. Maeda, J. P. Gong, Y. Cao, Nature Chemistry, 2023, ,
DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01389-6
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Thermoresponsive Lamellar Hydrogels with Tunable Turbidity, Structural Color, and Anisotropic Swelling
, Y. Z. Guo, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2023, 15, 49, 57687-57698
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14334
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Sustainable Mechanochemical Growth of Double-Network Hydrogels Supported by Vascular-like Perfusion
, Y. Kudo, T. Matsuda, Z. J. Wang, Q. F. Mu, D. R. King, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, Materials Horizons, 2023, Advance Article,
DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01038d
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Inverse Mechanical-Swelling Coupling of a Highly Deformed Double-Network Gel
, T. Nakajima, T. Indei, M. Iwata, W. Hong, A. Marcellan, J. P. Gong, Science Advances, 2023, 9, (19),
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abp8351
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Swelling Effect on the Yielding, Elasticity, and Fracture of Double-Network Hydrogels with an Inhomogeneous First Network
, T. Nakajima, W. Cui, C. Y. Hui, J. P. Gong, Macromolecules, 2023, 56, 11, 3962-3972
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c00354
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Mechanical Model for Super-Anisotropic Swelling of the Multi-Cylindrical PDGI/PAAm Gels
, K. Mito, J. P. Gong, Polymers, 2023, 15(7), 1624
DOI: 10.3390/polym15071624
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In Situ and Real-Time Visualization of Mechanochemical Damage in Double-Network Hydrogels by Prefluorescent Probe via Oxygen- Relayed Radical Trapping
, J. L. Jiang, M. Jin, D. Miura, F. X. Lu, K. Kubota, T. Nakajima, S. Maeda, H. Ito, J. P. Gong, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2023, 145, 7376-7389
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c13764
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Squid/synthetic Polymer Double-Network Gel: Elaborated Anisotropy and Outstanding Fracture Toughness Characteristics
, T. Nakajima, M. Yoshida, J. P. Gong, Npg Asia Materials, 2023, 15, Article number: 2
DOI: 10.1038/s41427-022-00454-9
2022
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Effect of Salt on Dynamic Mechanical Behaviors of Polyampholyte Hydrogels
, F. Luo, T. L. Sun, K. P. Cui, R. Watanabe, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, Macromolecules, 2022, ,
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02003
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Nanoscale TEM Imaging of Hydrogel Network Architecture
, M. Yoshida, T. Nonoyama, T. Sedlacik, H. Jinnai, T. Kurokawa, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, Adv. Mater., 2022, ,
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208902
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Rate-Independent Self-Healing Double Network Hydrogels Using a Thixotropic Sacrificial Network
, Y. Zheng, T. Nakajima, E. Kamio, H. Matsuyama, J. P. Gong, Macromolecules, 2022, 55, 21, 9547–9557
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01425
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Force-Triggered Rapid Microstructure Growth on Hydrogel Surface for On-Demand Functions
, K. P. Cui, Z. J. Wang, T. Matsuda, W. Cui, H. Kato, S. Namiki, T. Yamazaki, M. Frauenlob, T. Nonoyama, M. Tsuda, S. Tanaka, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, Nat. Commun., 2022, 13,
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34044-8
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Surfactant Induced Bilayer-Micelle Transition for Emergence of Functions in Anisotropic Hydrogel
, T. Kurokawa, T. Nakajima, G. Kamita, Z. Fatema, J. P. Gong, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022, ,
DOI: 10.1039/d2tb00172a
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Synthesis of Degradable Double Network Gels Using a Hydrolysable Cross-Linker
, A. Kuzuya, T. Nakajima, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Y. Ohya, Polym. Chem., 2022, 13, 3756-3762
DOI: 10.1039/d2py00360k
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Unique Crack Propagation of Double Network Hydrogels under High Stretch
, K. Fukao, T. Matsuda, T. Nakajima, K. Tsunoda, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Extreme Mechanics Letters, 2022, 51,
DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2021.101588
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Azo-Crosslinked Double-Network Hydrogels Enabling Highly Efficient Mechanoradical Generation
, J. L. Jiang, Q. F. Mu, S. Maeda, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2022, 144, 3154-3161
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c12539
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Facile Preparation of Cellulose Hydrogel with Achilles Tendon-like Super Strength through Aligning Hierarchical Fibrous Structure
, T. Nakajima, M. T. I. Mredha, H. L. Guo, K. P. Cui, Y. Zheng, W. Cui, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2022, 428,
DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.132040
2021
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How Chain Dynamics Affects Crack Initiation in Double-Network Gels
, T. Matsuda, T. Nakajima, W. Cui, Y. Zhang, C. Y. Hui, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2021, 118,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2111880118
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Revisiting the Origins of the Fracture Energy of Tough Double-Network Hydrogels with Quantitative Mechanochemical Characterization of the Damage Zone
, R. Kawakami, T. Nakajima, Y. Hane, J. P. Gong, Macromolecules, 2021, 54, 10331-10339
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01214
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Experimental Verification of the Balance between Elastic Pressure and Ionic Osmotic Pressure of Highly Swollen Charged Gels
, K. Hoshino, H. L. Guo, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Gels, 2021, 7,
DOI: 10.3390/gels7020039
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Nanophase Separation in Immiscible Double Network Elastomers Induces Synergetic Strengthening, Toughening, and Fatigue Resistance
, R. Kiyama, T. Matsuda, K. P. Cui, X. Y. Li, W. Cui, Y. Z. Guo, T. Nakajima, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Chem. Mater., 2021, 33, 3321-3334
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.1c00512
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Molecular Mechanism of Abnormally Large Nonsoftening Deformation in a Tough Hydrogel
, K. P. Cui, W. Hong, X. Y. Li, C. T. Yu, D. Hourdet, T. Nakajima, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2021, 118, 5
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2014694118
2020
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Chitin-Based Double-Network Hydrogel as Potential Superficial Soft-Tissue-Repairing Materials
, M. Frauenlob, Y. Shibata, L. Wang, T. Nakajima, T. Nonoyama, M. Tsuda, S. Tanaka, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Biomacromolecules, 2020, 21, 4220-4230
DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c01033
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Crack Tip Field of a Double-Network Gel: Visualization of Covalent Bond Scission through Mechanoradical Polymerization
, R. Kawakami, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, Macromolecules, 2020, 53, 8787-8795
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01485
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Preparation of Tough Double- and Triple-Network Supermacroporous Hydrogels through Repeated Cryogelation
, T. Nonoyama, H. L. Guo, R. Kiyama, T. Nakajima, Y. Takeda, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Chem. Mater., 2020, 32, 8576-8586
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.0c02911
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Effect of the Constituent Networks of Double-Network Gels on Their Mechanical Properties and Energy Dissipation Process
, T. Kurokawa, H. Furukawa, J. P. Gong, Soft Matter, 2020, 16, 8618-8627
DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01057j
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Lamellar Bilayer to Fibril Structure Transformation of Tough Photonic Hydrogel under Elongation
, K. P. Cui, M. Ilyas, T. Kurokawa, A. Marcellan, A. Brulet, R. Takahashi, T. Nakajima, J. P. Gong, Macromolecules, 2020, 53, 4711-4721
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00878
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Double-Network Gels as Polyelectrolyte Gels with Salt-Insensitive Swelling Properties
, T. Chida, K. Mito, T. Kurokawa, J. P. Gong, Soft Matter, 2020, 16, 5487-5496
DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00605j
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Effect of Relative Strength of Two Networks on the Internal Fracture Process of Double Network Hydrogels As Revealed by in Situ Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering
, T. Nakajima, T. Nonoyama, T. Kurokawa, T. Kawai, J. P. Gong, Macromolecules, 2020, 53, 1154-1163
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02562
2019
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Internal Damage Evolution in Double-Network Hydrogels Studied by Microelectrode Technique
, W. Hong, T. Kurokawa, T. Matsuda, ZL. Wu, T. Nakajima, M. Takahata, TL. Sun, P. Rao, JP. Gong, Macromolecules, 2019, 52, 7114-7122
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01308
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Hydrophobic Hydrogels with Fruit-Like Structure and Functions
, T. Nakajima, D. Hourdet, A. Marcellan, C. Creton, W. Hong, T. Kurokawa, JP. Gong, Adv. Mater., 2019, 31, 1900702
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201900702
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Damage Cross-Effect and Anisotropy in Tough Double Network Hydrogels Revealed by Biaxial Stretching
, T. Matsuda, T. Nakajima, JP. Gong, K. Urayama, Soft Matter, 2019, 15, 3719-3732
DOI: 10.1039/c9sm00409b
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Fabrication of Tough and Stretchable Hybrid Double-Network Elastomers Using Ionic Dissociation of Polyelectrolyte in Nonaqueous Media
, T. Nakajima, JP. Gong, Chem. Mater., 2019, 31, 3766-3776
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.9b00871
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Tough Double Network Elastomers Reinforced by the Amorphous Cellulose Network
, T. Nakajima, T. Matsuda, K. Tsunoda, T. Nonoyama, T. Kurokawa, JP. Gong, Polymer, 2019, 178, 121686
DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.121686
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Tough Double-Network Gels and Elastomers from the Nonprestretched First Network
, Y. Ozaki, R. Namba, K. Ota, Y. Maida, T. Matsuda, T. Kurokawa, JP. Gong, ACS Macro Lett., 2019, 8, 1407-1412
DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.9b00679
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Relaxation Dynamics and Underlying Mechanism of a Thermally Reversible Gel from Symmetric Triblock Copolymer
, KP. Cui, T. Indei, T. Nakajima, D. Hourdet, T. Kurokawa, JP. Gong, Macromolecules, 2019, 52, 8651-8661
DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01856
2018
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Network Elasticity of a Model Hydrogel as a Function of Swelling Ratio: From Shrinking to Extreme Swelling States
, T. Nakajima, T. Matsuda, T. Sakai, JP. Gong, Soft Matter, 2018, 14, 9693-9701
DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01854e