Preparing Chiral Hydrogel by Using Coordination-Assembly Complex of Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles for Chiromechanical Response

Nanomaterials are considered as an important class that has found interest in various fields including electrical, optical, catalytical, and biomedical applications. In nanoscale, chemical, biological, and physical properties are all different from the properties of each atom or molecule of bulk materials. Meanwhile, gels also make up a crucial class of materials on account of their large free space between the networks and highly adjustable mechanical properties. Many hydrogel systems have been researched utilizing covalent cross-linking processes, including radical polymerization initiated by temperature, UV, and pH. It is important to understand the physical behavior of these gels, as they are being continuously introduced into various fields such as electrical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical applications.<br/><br/>On the basis of previous research about nanoparticles, gels, and chirality, we envisioned that a coordination-assembly complex might be able to couple with nanoparticles to form a chiral gel. The advantage of this method is that it does not require the use of a specific device or heating. Mechanical properties such as storage and loss modulus showed chirality-response along the chiral coordination direction. The aim of this research is to demonstrate unique features of the coordination system of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with cadmium salts to produce a structure that responds to the direction of chirality.